OBITUARY: Doris Jackson
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Doris (Tommie) Jackson, 89, of Galatia, passed away Friday, July 13, 2012, at the age of 89. She was born Oct. 16, 1922, in Leominster, Mass. Her parents were Fred and Eva (Stancombe) Thomas.
Tommie was among the first group of women who joined the Marine Corps in 1942. She served four years and was a Platoon Sergeant stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and San Diego Navy Base in California. She met her late husband, Kenneth Jackson of Eldorado, in the Marine Corps, and they married in 1946.
Kenneth and Tommie moved back to Southern Illinois in 1951 and established a farm/horse training business near Galatia. She spent her life making a home, helping run the J-6 Ranch and being dedicated to her family. She also provided help and support over the years to the Illinois Cutting Horse Association, 4-H programs, Future Homemakers of America and Future Farmers of America, as well as numerous other school groups and community activities.
Tommie was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Survivors include one brother, four children, nine grandchildren and stepgrandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and great-stepgrandchildren. Her brother is Russell Thomas (wife Rayma) of St. Augustine, Fla. Children include: Joy Richey (husband Charles) of Galatia, Rick Jackson (wife Elaine) of Galatia, Linda Davis (husband Randy) of Harrisburg and Bonnie Darnell (husband Larry) of Galatia. Grandchildren are Tina Mondino of Harrisburg, Wade Richey of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Rachel Richey and Kyle Davis of Marion, Tyler and Taylor Jackson of Carterville, and Hannah Jackson, Amy Stevens and Jennifer Estes of Galatia. Great-grandchildren are Mary, Luke and Mark Richey, Braxton and Cash Davis, Alaina Mondino, Abby and Avery Stevens and Karsyn Estes.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 17 at Sloan Funeral Home in Galatia with the Rev. Jeff Rush officiating. Burial will follow in Wolf Creek Cemetery near Eldorado. Visitation is set for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, July 16 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation in lieu of flowers if desired. Forms will be available at the funeral home.