Tekla Jackson

Tekla Jackson, 61, was born on September 7, 1954 in Yuma, Arizona to Ruth and Edwin Maynes and went to be with the Lord on March 19, 2016. Tekla was raised in Taft. During her high school years she was an active member of Job’s Daughters and a Past Honored Queen. She moved to Fresno to attend Fresno State where she received her teaching credential and relocated to Visalia to accept her first teaching position. She went on to receive her Masters of Arts in Education, Mathematics Education from Fresno Pacific University. After serving the children and families of Visalia Unified School District for 36 years she retired in 2013. Tekla married the love of her life, Harold Jackson on August 30, 1986. Together they enjoyed many days of adventures both near and far. She thoroughly enjoyed shopping, including becoming quite savvy with online shopping in recent years. As a young adult she especially enjoyed backpacking, cross country skiing, and working with children at outdoor camps. She also enjoyed camping in the mountains, word games, reading mountains of books, and spending time with her church family. But her greatest love was spending time with her friends and family. Tekla’s bright infectious smile and huge heart will be severely missed. She is survived by her beloved husband Harold of 29 years, her beautiful daughter Nicole Jackson, as well as her beloved stepdaughters Sabrina Knickerbocker and Jamie Gaggos, Soninlaw Joe Gaggos, and grandchildren Bailey Knickerbocker, Kolby Knickerbocker, Chloe Gaggos, and Dax Gaggos. She is also survived by her brothers Marshall Maynes and his wife Ruthie Maynes of Las Vegas, Nevada and Bruce Maynes and his wife Andrea Maynes of La Paz, Mexico, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Though she was a lifelong diabetic and encountered many medical issues, her determination and spirit always prevailed and now she stands with our Heavenly Father without pumps, without chords, without dialysis, without limitations. She is free. Donations can be made to her favorite camp Bearskin Meadow, Diabetic Youth Foundation, through their website at dyf.org. A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com

Tekla Jackson

September 7, 1954 - March 19, 2016