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SHIRLEY MAE CELIA JACKSON was the first born to Manuel Blake Jackson and Virginia Myrtle Weaver Jackson, on July 12, 1932. The Jackson household was a warm, nurturing home where all the neighborhood children gathered to sing, play music, and dance. Shirley’s mother was known for her love of dance and she inspired Shirley and her younger brother, Manuel Jackson Jr., to express their artistic gifts by singing and dancing together at social functions throughout Kansas City, Kansas. This encouragement opened opportunities for Manuel to travel abroad where he further enriched others with his creative arts, while Shirley considered a career in music and continued to use her beautiful, God given voice with her church, school, and community engagements.
Shirley’s formative education was in Kansas City, Kansas, where she was born and reared. After graduating from Sumner High School in 1950 she enrolled at Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas. She later transferred to Pittsburgh State Teachers College in Pittsburgh, Kansas, where in 1954, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Two of her fondest memories while attending Pittsburgh State Teachers College was her initiation into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Nu Chapter in 1953 and singing at an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., event. Because of her wide-range and rich lyric soprano voice, Shirley was known on campus as “The Little Canary.”
Following graduation, Shirley relocated to San Diego, California, after being offered a job with San Diego Unified School District. She began her career as a third-grade teacher at Stockton Elementary. Before she retired in 1991, Shirley’s career included assignments in special education, and as a reading specialist, resource teacher, auxiliary teacher, and master teacher. She also worked as an Indo-Chinese supervisory teacher.
Shirley joined Epsilon Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., immediately upon her arrival in San Diego. It was at an Epsilon Xi Omega picnic where she met her husband Roy E. Logan. They were united in marriage on December 22, 1956, by her pastor Rev. Major Shavers, of Christian Fellowship Congregational Church. From this union a son, Reginald Gerard, was born November 16, 1957.
Shirley was a leader in Epsilon Xi Omega Chapter. She was Graduate Advisor in 1956 and 1957, Assistant Treasury in 1961, Vice-President in 1972, and served as President in 1973 and 1974. Shirley was also chairman of the chapter’s annual signature program and fundraiser, the Debutante Ball. Additionally, she served as a presenter, mentor, and souvenir journal chairman during other ball seasons. On the Regional level, Shirley served as Protocol Chairman for two Far Western Regional Conferences, Facilities Chairman once, and Resolutions Committee Chairman twice. She sang in the Regional Conference Choir and performed as choir soloist on occasion. Her experience as a reading specialist led her to be selected as the first Site Director of Epsilon Xi Omega’s Ivy Reading AKAdemy in 2002.
Church was always an important part of Shirley’s life. After her marriage to Roy, she moved her membership from Christian Fellowship Congregational Church to Golden Hill/ Christ United Presbyterian Church. Shirley was recognized as Mother of the Year for her dedication and service. She became an active member of the Chancel Choir where she was a frequent soloist. She remained a loyal choir member throughout her 63 years of membership, even during her illness. She served as Moderator of the Deacon Board, Vacation Bible School Teacher, and was always there to help when needed.
Shirley received many recognitions for her contributions to the community. One of her most cherished awards was in 1984 when she received the highest honor given by the Greater San Diego Reading Association for her teaching contributions. Among other recognitions, were Mother of the Year from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Woman of Distinction from Women Inc., and Woman of Distinction from The Salvation Army.
As Shirley’s health began to fail, requiring 24-hour care, she was lovingly and tenderly cared for by Denise Coleman and Deborah La Sure. This love went both ways. In addition, her daughter-in-law, Robyn Logan, became her “personal chef,” cooking whatever she desired. The “apple of her eye,” her grandson, Reginald II, always stepped in to assist whenever needed. No LOVE nor DEVOTION can ever surpass that which was given by her son, Reginald.
Shirley was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend. Roy, her husband of 62 years, preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory her son Reginald Logan (Robyn); grandson, Reginald Logan II; nieces, M. Bahati Kuumba, Tendayi Kuumba, Adrienne Jackson, and Paulette Murphy; cousin, Mary Holmes (Robert); brother-in-law, Theophilus Logan (Martha); nieces, Annice Shields, Jennifer Logan Porter, and Barbara Logan (Tevel Holeman); nephews, Percy Gist Jr., Kirk Logan, Cortland Anderson, Charles Reid Jr., (Deborah), Keith Logan, William Logan (Devon), Kenneth Reid (Catherine), Thaddeus Logan Jr., and a host of other family members and many friends.
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