Linda Jackson

CAIRO, Ill. -- Linda K. Clarke Jackson, 52, of Cairo died Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the home of her parents near Olive Branch, Ill.

She was born March 28, 1961, in Cairo, daughter of Peter J. and Sarah Jane Travers Clarke. She grew up in Cairo and graduated from Cairo High School. She met her husband, Willis Jackson, while working at St. Mary's Hospital in Cairo. They were married July 28, 1984.

Linda grew up in a family that had a strong tradition of community involvement. She was involved in planning and coordinating Cairo Riverboat Days more than 15 years and was a past president of Beta Sigma Phi. In 2010 Gov. Pat Quinn appointed her to serve on the Alexander-Cairo Port District Board, which she has served on more than three years. She served more than 14 years on the Cairo City Council, beginning as a councilwoman for the 4th Ward and later becoming councilwoman at large. She was the first woman to preside over the council as mayor pro tem. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and had been a teller at First National Bank in Cairo.

Survivors include her husband, Willis D. Jackson of Cairo; two sons, Alex D. Jackson and Jacob R. Jackson of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Sally Ann (Dr. Rick) Palen of Cape Girardeau and Mary Candace (Richard) Keates of Pequea, Pa.; two brothers, Honorable Mark H. Clarke of Mounds, Ill., and John A. "Andy" Clark of Olive Branch; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father in 2012, mother in 2010 and infant brother, Peter J. Clarke Jr.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at St. Patrick's Church. The rosary will be at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Chris Mujule officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Mounds.

Crain Funeral Home in Cairo is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Linda K. Clarke Jackson Hometown Pride Scholarship (Southeast Missouri University Foundation). Envelopes will be available at the church and at any Crain Funeral Home location.

To leave online condolences visit crainsonline.com.