Dr. Janice LaJune Jackson-Vails' Obituary
Dr. Janice LaJune Jackson Vails was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi to Eugene and Bertha Jackson who
predeceased her along with siblings, Rodney Jackson and Dorothy Jackson Banks. She graduated from Tougaloo
College in Tougaloo, Mississippi as Valedictorian, became a Delta Sigma Theta and a student civil rights activist
as a member of the now famous Tougaloo Nine. Tougaloo Nine was an organization staging sit-ins in segregated
public institutions in Mississippi according to Wikipedia.
After graduation in 1963, Janice Jackson established residence in St, Louis, Missouri where she became a high
school biology teacher, counselor, and mentor until obtaining a Master’s Degree in Counseling Education and
Administration from The University of Missouri at St. Louis where she became employed for 29 years. She held
many positions of influence to include staff management as an Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and
Sciences.
After early retirement, Janice Vails enjoyed life with her spouse, Attorney Ronald I. Vails, who predeceased her.
She enjoyed traveling around the countries of the world and experiencing different cultures. In recent years Dr.
Janice Jackson Vails enjoyed spending time with family and friends along with her 6 year old Shih Tzu canine
love, LUCKY and looking after her real estate acquisitions.
Dr. Janice LaJune Jackson Vails leaves to cherish her loving memories: daughter ~ Gbassa Santana (Elvis) of
New Jersey; longtime companion ~ Harold Blackmon of St. Louis; six siblings ~ Ronald Hubbard (Josephine) of
Tampa, FL, Charles L. Jackson (Lanelle); Ann Hale of Clarksdale, MS, Ralph Jackson (Mary Alice) of Clarksdale,
MS, Rose Prewitt (Marlin) of St. Louis, and Kevin Jackson of Clarksdale, MS; best friends ~ Ethel Sawyer
Adolphe, Betty Jean Harold and Caroline Emmerson all of St. Louis; and many treasured nieces, nephews,
cousins and loved ones across the United States and abroad.
What’s your fondest memory of Janice?
What’s a lesson you learned from Janice?
Share a story where Janice's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Janice you’ll never forget.
How did Janice make you smile?
