Austwell – Bernice Elizabeth Settoon Jackson, 85, of Austwell, passed away Friday, July 1, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Jan. 25, 1926, in Amite, La., to the late Dudley Kenneth and Ethel Maggie Temple Settoon.
While working as an administrative assistant in New Orleans during World War II, she met a dashing Texas gentleman only weeks before his deployment-U.S. Army officer, Roger Lee Jackson. Two years-and countless letters-later, Roger and Bernice were united in marriage at the Settoon family home in Amite, La., on Aug. 18, 1945, while Roger was home on leave. Roger and Bernice celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary only months before Roger’s passing in 2006. One of Bernice’s last wishes was to be buried with Roger’s love letters.
Roger and Bernice settled in Austwell shortly after their marriage and raised a wonderful family. A devoted Christian, Bernice was an active member of the Austwell Methodist Church for over six decades. She was an accomplished oil painter, an avid bowler, and a charming traveling companion. An active member of the Home Demonstration Club for many years, Bernice was active in community affairs.
She was preceded in death by Roger, her loving and faithful husband of 60 years; her parents; her sister, Marguerite Settoon Reynolds; and her brothers, Durno Olin Settoon and Dudley Kenneth Settoon Jr.
Bernice is survived by her brother, Dr. Patrick Delano Settoon of Hammond, La.; her four children, Sandra Jackson Mahan of Austwell, Tommy (Margaret) Jackson of Point Comfort, Jane (Henry) Pongratz of Port O’Connor, and Jimmy (Debi) Jackson of Austwell. She also leaves behind seven adoring grandchildren and nine adorable great-grandchildren.
Services were held Monday, July 4, at the Austwell Methodist Church. Graveside service followed afterward at the Tivoli Cemetery. The Rev. June Cantrell and the Rev. Walter Hoke officiated.
Pallbearers: grandsons, Trace Davis, Dave Villarreal, Matthew Jackson and Thomas Nicholas Jackson, Quoc Nguyen and Timothy Rak.
Memorials: donations may be made to either the Austwell Methodist Church or Crown Hospice.
