Erma Ruth (Johnson) Jackson-Rhodes

Erma (Johnson) Jackson-Rhodes was born March 1, 1946 in Lamar, CO. She passed from this life Nov 29, 2024. Her family moved to Oklahoma in 1952 where her and her friends got into a lot of mischief. On the rare occasion her sister Bessie wasn’t involved, Bessie tried to get them out of trouble. Mom’s siblings held a dear spot in her heart, each in different ways. Uncle Lonnie was so funny. Uncle Rolland would give you the shirt off his back and Aunt Marcelle was strict and tried to keep everyone in line. Aunt Bessie was Mom’s lifelong mischief making friend. Aunt Roberta made Mom laugh. Uncle Jerald, he was so dear and sweet. Mom’s family was full of laughter and hi jinx. Mom had another lifelong friend, Connie Birdsong. We heard many stories and spent some time with Connie. It was no secret that these two girls were dear to each other. They had lots of adventures, Connie being Mom’s protector through their school years.

Mom graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1964. In the same year she was baptized into the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn. Aunt Bessie left for California and Mom was soon to follow after graduation. Her and Aunt Bessie gave Uncle Bennie a good taste of what was in store for him for the rest of his life, lots of mishaps and adventure and laughter from these two girls with Aunt Marcelle being the voice of reason because she was a rule follower. Mom met Dad, Gerald D Jackson, Sr in California. They married October 30, 1965. They had six children together. Mom said her favorite time was having six little faces around her table. Mom and Dad moved back-and-forth between Oklahoma and California, having a baby each time, then settling for good in Oklahoma. In 1986 we lost Dad and Mom strived to raise the four kids left at home as a single mom. Mom was strong and brave. She faced this challenge head on. There were lots of struggles and hard times in her life. But she wasn’t a complainer. Mom always did what needed to be done. She couldn’t sit still when she knew something needed done, much to the aggravation of her children when they wanted to watch a movie with her. Mom was a scrimper and a saver. We never went hungry or without necessities. Mom taught a lot of lessons without saying a word. I watched her help the poor and needy. Some things I didn’t understand til years later and then realized where the extra sack of groceries went or what she was doing with the extra money. She saw a need and tried to fill it, Mom didn’t wait for someone to ask for help, she was just already helping when she saw the need– a quality I loved so much in my Mom that I’ve strove to teach my children the same. Mom was determined to finish raising her children before letting anyone else in. She wanted her children’s home to stay their home.

Then she met such a good man, Joe Rhodes. They married March 4, 1996 and spent almost 29 happy years together. They traveled many places with Uncle Bennie and Aunt Bessie, their best friends, with Mom and Aunt Bessie having the time of their lives in the backseat talking and laughing to the point they couldn’t even speak anymore. Mom loved Joe and Joe loved Mom. This “new” home for Mom was made our second home. We spent a lot of time with Mom here. She learned she loved to shop and watch cooking shows. She learned how to DVR so her grandkids could watch all the shows she thought they would like. She taped America’s Got Talent, Gaither Homecoming, Doris Day movies and countless shows to VHS tapes and sent them home with the grandkids to watch. Introducing them to Anne of Green Gables will be a lifelong special Gramzy memory.

As a Gramzy she always had apples and peanut butter, oranges and ice cream sandwiches and soda on hand and constantly brought in snacks for the grandkids when they were watching TV. She made waffles from scratch and had root beer in bottles when she found out some of her grandkids liked these things. She was a good Gramzy, but she wasn’t the one buying fun exciting gifts! The grandkids always opened undies, quilts, luggage or things of that nature when it came to a gift from Gramzy. In her later years, when she could no longer have the joy of shopping for them, she’d slip a little green in their hand and tell them to buy something for themselves. Mom was a straight talker, had no time for drama and seemed to have endless energy. She always had a houseful whether it was family and friends for coffee or for cards or her kids being gathered together. Mom’s home was always welcoming and many enjoyed her hospitality.

Preceding Mom in death are her parents, Larson and Lottie Johnson. Brothers Rolland, Lonnie and Jerald. Sisters, Marcelle Porter and Roberta West. Her first husband Gerald D Jackson, Sr and one son Gerald D Jackson, Jr. She is survived by her husband Joe Rhodes of Moore, OK. One sister Bessie Porter of Sapulpa, OK. Daughter Kim Pruitt and husband Jim of Agra, OK. Daughter Karey Wright and husband Brent of Agra, OK. Daughter-in-law Lora Jackson Wright of Agra, OK. Son Justin Jackson of Stillwater, OK. Daughter Amy Miller and husband Pat of Chandler, OK. Daughter Amber Steele of Perkins, OK. 19 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She is also survived by Joe’s 4 children and spouses, 8 grandchildren and one great grandchild. She stayed loving and ornery to her great grandkids til her last days. So many lessons taught by Mom will be held dear.
Though her suffering is over, she will always be so missed.

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