Beth Jackson

Beth Jackson was born Elizabeth Ann Garrett on July 6, 1939 in Culver City, California. She passed away November 27 in Burbank, with her son by her side, holding her hand. Beth grew up on Madison Avenue in Culver City with her sister and best friend Natalie Garrett, both raised by their parents Josiah "J" Hubert and Betty Garrett. Beth graduated from Culver City High School in 1957 and attended California Hospital School of Nursing in downtown Los Angeles, graduating in 1962. She immediately started working at California Hospital and stayed there for 30 years, working her way up to the position of nursing supervisor. The friends she made in Culver City and at California Hospital were her lifelong pals and her foundation; she remembered this time with great love and attended every possible high school and nursing school reunion. She married her husband Ted Jackson in 1966 and remained married to him until he passed away in 2010. They met when Ted visited a friend at California Hospital-Beth was the friend's nurse. Together they raised their daughter Jennifer Jackson and son Patrick Jackson on Jasmine Avenue in Culver City, just a few blocks from where Beth grew up. She was an avid supporter of her children, taking on leadership roles in the PTA, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, along with enrolling them in tutoring, gymnastics, swim and art classes. She was always there for her children and always put them first.

Beth and her family moved to Ashland, Oregon in 1992 where she continued to work as a nurse, first at Rouge Valley Manor and next at Jackson County Mental Health. Beth loved being a nurse and didn't retire until 2012, at the age of 73. After retirement both she and her sister Natalie volunteered at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival information desk. They enjoyed their retirement together. Her pride and joy was raising her grandson Jonathan Clarke. Beth helped raise Jonathan from the day he was born and took full custody of him in 2007 when she was 68 and he was nine years old. It wasn't easy being a single grandmother, but her love for Jonathan made it possible. This period of time brought the family close together and created a deep bond that continues today. Beth's relationship with Jonathan exemplifies who she was as a nurse, mother and person. As a close family friend wrote, "She was a woman with a great heart and compassion for others. Her commitment to her family was rock solid." In 2016 Beth moved back to Los Angeles to be close to her son, daughter and grandson. She spent much of her time with family, catching up with old friends, going out to movies and dining at new and old spots. Family members, friends and coworkers would often comment on how much they loved Beth, that she was a good, kind and hardworking person. This was of course all true and an excellent description of her, but her son Patrick and grandson Jonathan would like all to know that, as a mother and grandmother, she was this to the umpteenth degree. She taught them how to work for, protect and love each other. They miss her deeply but know she will live on inside them through her actions and the life and love they shared together. Beth was preceded in death by her daughter Jennifer Jackson; husband Ted Jackson; sister Natalie Garrett; cousin Gary Merrill; brothers-in-law Kenneth Tanner and Tom Ransom; parents J. Garrett and Betty Garrett; and uncle Gordon Garrett. She is survived by her son Patrick Jackson; grandson Jonathan Clarke; cousin Charles Merrill; cousin-in-law Marleen Merrill; sisters-in-law Jan Ransom and Pat McKnight; brother-in-law Joe McKnight (we've sadly lost Joe since Beth's passing); nieces and nephews Jessica Tanner, Chris Tanner, Nanette McKnight-Shamieh, Carolyn Skinner, Darrell Ransom, Brad Ransom and Mara Ransom; seven great-nieces and nephews and many extended family members. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 20th, 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Culver City, 4427 Overland Ave. Please only attend if you've been vaccinated. All attendees will be required to wear a mask inside the church. Food will be served outside, after the service. Please visit http://www.bethannjackson.blogspot.com to see pictures of Beth Jackson's life and to leave comments. If you knew Beth there's a good chance that you will find yourself in these pictures. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to http://www.heartswithamission.org, a youth shelter that perfectly embodies Beth Jackson's caring spirit. You can contact Beth's son Patrick Jackson at patrickwaynejackson@gmail.com

MEMORIAL EVENTS

November 20

Memorial service, 11:00a.m. Grace Lutheran Church, 4427 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA