Betty Lou Jackson

Betty Lou Jackson, 79, of Coventry, passed peacefully on July 20, 2021. Betty Lou was born in Rockford, Illinois March 20, 1942, and was the daughter of the late Adelaide Fox and Albert Purvis. Betty moved with her family to Manchester, CT in 1957 where she eventually met her husband Michael L. Jackson, also from Illinois. Betty resided in Coventry, CT for over 40 years. She is predeceased by her husband whom she was married to for 46 years. Betty was a miracle and fighter. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer 15 years ago and given months to live, yet she beat the odds and survived 15 years after that diagnosis. She worked for many years at the Shultzs Beauty Salon in the Brown Thompson building in Hartford. She also worked at The Connecticut Institute of Hair Design in East Hartford where she was sweet as pie but tough as nails in her role as the schools main secretary. She adored helping the students and fellow staff. Betty Lou was a flirt. The older she got, the more she would flirt! Her happy place was at her sisters beach house at Grove Beach Point in Westbrook. She enjoyed looking for shells, admiring the boats, playing cards, and was a whiz at Rummikub. She loved her sweets, going to the casino, a good tag sale, or bargain shopping with her sisters at TJ Maxx. But most of all, she loved spending time with her sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews. In her most recent years, she lived at Welles Country Village in Vernon where she had many friends and adored Mitch Hess, Activities Director, who brought a smile to her face and someone to flirt with. Betty Lou was survived by seven siblings, Carol Boken of Rockford, IL, Darlene Thompson of Meriden, Lucille (Brian) Vibberts of Portland, Bernice (Bob) Topliff of Coventry, Wilma (Doug) Higgins of Broadbrook, John (Pamela) Purvis of Ashford, and Stan Fox of Wolcott. Betty adored her Brothers-in-law just as much as her own siblings. In addition, Betty was pre-deceased by brother Henry Purvis. She was a proud Godmother of Brian Vibberts of Glendora, CA and Melissa Vibberts of Portland, CT and she adored her many nieces and nephews and their respective children. The memorial service will be private for family members. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to Bettys favorite charity as she loved all children: St. Jude Childrens Hospital. To leave a memory or message of condolence please visit www.holmeswatkins.com