Mrs. Madelyn Virginia Finley Jackson, 98
Mrs. Madelyn Virginia Finley Jackson, the second eldest of nine children born to former Hazlehurst Postmaster Arley D. Finley and homemaker Madelyn P. Finley, passed away quietly April 8 in Lawrenceville. She was 98.
Madelyn was born in July, 1921, and spent her formative years in Hazlehurst where she was an excellent student and gifted pianist.
After graduating from high school and earning an associate degree from South Georgia College, Madelyn joined the United States Coast Guard and was assigned to the Special Branch, Intelligence Division, in Portland, Ore. She served three years before returning home when the war ended.
A picture of Madelyn in her Coast Guard uniform standing with her brother Bob in his U.S. Navy uniform, brother Joe in his U.S. Army uniform and sister Grace in her Marine Corps uniform was prominently displayed in the Finley family home in Hazlehurst for many years. All four military services being represented by the Finley family at one time during World War II.
After the war, Madelyn moved to Hapeville and worked for 13 years for Eastern Airlines as a ticket supervisor in Atlanta until 1959 when she married Arthur P. Jackson, a local banker and entrepreneur. They made their home in Hapeville for the next seven years. In 1966 Arthur bought the farm of Susan Hayward Chalkley in Carrollton for Madelyn and they lived there together until Mr. Jackson’s death in 1979. Her husband enjoyed playing the piano, and they had a piano and an organ in their home which they loved playing duets together. Madelyn owned the farm for more than 50 years before selling it. She enjoyed her final years in an assisted living and nursing home in Gwinnett County where she was known for playing the piano which she truly enjoyed.
Madelyn was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother and sister-in-law Col. Joe W. Finley (Virginia), brother Robert B. Finley, sister Betty Finley, sister and brother-in-law Grace Finley Schwarz (Brad), and brother-in-law James Dixon.
Survivors include brothers and sisters-in-law Arley D. Finley Jr. (Sally), of Georgetown, Texas, and Arthur J. Finley (Lori), of Braselton; sisters Mary Ellen Dixon of Bryan, Texas, and Martha Finley of Sun City Center, Fla.; sister-in-law is Lois Finley Fridlund of Laguna Woods, Calif.; stepchildren, Patty Jackson Wareham (Don) and Ronald P. Jackson (Liz); and over 20 nieces and nephews.
A family graveside service was held April 11 prior to interment next to her husband in College Park Cemetery in College Park. This warmhearted gentle southern lady and her beautiful music will be missed.
Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton was in charge.
