Karen Leah Nelson Jackson

Although born in Baytown, Texas, Karen’s childhood home was in Maplewood, Louisiana, where her family – parents and three siblings – lived for ten years. Later residing in Lake Charles, she attended Lake Charles High School where she was a member of the Kiltie Girls marching organization.

In high school she became (and remained) good friends with Milton Lyles, who was later recognized as an accomplished writer. McNeese afforded her the opportunity to further her education, but that was interrupted by love and marriage to a charming and handsome young airman from Florida who was stationed at Chennault Air Force Base.

Karen and her husband Jim (James) raised their three children in Westlake, Louisiana. All too young, her husband Jim, who was 47 years young, died suddenly, leaving Karen left alone raising and caring for her three children. While she loved her children dearly, she found even more love for her precious grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Preceding Karen in death are her beloved husband, James (Jim) Oscar Jackson; parents, James Gant and Hazel Estelle Renz Nelson; sister, Marjorie Lorraine Nelson Myers and her husband Leonard and her brother, Byron Gant Nelson.

She is survived by her three children, Lisa Estelle Jackson Terrell and husband James (Jimmy) Mark Terrell, Moss Bluff; Leah Ann Jackson Weaver and husband David Lester Weaver, Orange, TX and James Bradley Jackson, Moss Bluff; Grandchildren, Brandon James Terrell and wife Jordan Fontenot Terrell; Mitchell Blake James Terrell and wife Karlee Marie Shortt Terrell; Bryson James Terrell; Shane Lee Weaver; Casey Lee Weaver and wife Danielle Lynn Olmschenk Weaver, Alexandria Rachelle Fults and husband Reid Alan Fults and Morgan Elizabeth Weaver; Great Grandchildren, Liam Blake James Terrell, Blaiklyn Estelle Marie Terrell, Collins Grace Terrell, Corrie James Terrell, Cash James Terrell, Charlie Jo Terrell, Jacob Lane Weaver, Ciara Adison Weaver, Cameron Lee Weaver, Caden Edmund Weaver, Ryan Averie Fults and Levi James Weaver as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family of the heart.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will take place from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Wednesday April 10, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Home of Moss Bluff, 2171 Hwy 171 North, Lake Charles, LA 70611. As to Karen’s request, no formal services will be observed.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the Nurses and Staff of Grand Cove Nursing Home, where she had resided for the past two years, as well as the Doctors, Nurses and Staff of the Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Intensive Care Unit for the professional, compassionate and loving care shown not only to Karen, but her entire family during these final days.