Ms. Jacqualine “Jackie” Davidson, age 80, returned to her Heavenly Father in Ocean Springs, MS on Friday, April 26th.
Jackie was born on April 1, 1939, in Moss Point, Mississippi to Henry Randolph Davidson and Clara Lucille Furby. She graduated in the first class of The University of Southern Mississippi in 1962 with a degree of Bachelor of Music Education. She also received a Masters of Music Education from USM. Jackie taught at Stone County High, Sumerall School, Hawkins Junior High, Gautier Junior High, Vancleave High, Pascagoula Junior High, St. Stanislaus Preparatory College, Bay St. Louis, St. Thomas Elementary, and Ocean Springs Middle School retiring after 31 years of teaching. She changed the lives and mentored all the students that walked through her door. Jackie was an educator at heart and a dedicated band director by spirit. She helped lead her bands into many superior titles. Jackie was honored with STAR teacher twice, USM Summer Band Camp director for 9 years, teacher of the year, she served as president and chair member on many educational boards, and in 2000 she was inducted into the Gulf Coast Band Directors Association Hall of Fame as an Outstanding Bandmaster.
Jackie is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, and many friends.
Jackie is survived by her sisters-in-law; Audrene Davidson, and Beth Davidson; two nephews Sterling (Angela) Davidson, and Josh (Ada) Davidson; nieces, Denise Sonnenberg, and Teresa (Andrew) Bonham, Tina, and Chrystal; many great-nieces and nephews, plus hundreds of students, co-workers, colleagues, and peers that were considered as close as family.
Visitation will be on Saturday, May 11, from 10am until 12 noon, with a 12 noon Memorial Service, all at the Vancleave Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to Pascagoula River Audubon Center (Aunt Jackie was a long time member of the center)
"Support Pascagoula River Audubon Center" or to Michael Sprinkell Memorial Band Scholarship at Pearl River Community College (601)404-1191 Pearl River Community College Foundation P.O. Box 5389 Poplarville, MS 39470