Margaret May (Homan) Jackson

Margaret May Homan Jackson, 87, of LaGrange, Kentucky, passed away Tuesday, September 10th at Sansbury Nursing Care Center in Springfield,Ky. after a brief illness.

A native of Washington County, she was born in the Mooresville community on November 28, 1937, to the late Joseph Thomas and Julia May (Carney) Homan. Margaret graduated from Springfield High School and went on to study home economics and physical education at Georgetown College, where she was a proud member of Sigma Kappa Sorority.

Margaret grew up attending New Hope Baptist Church and later in life was a member of Dehaven Baptist Church in LaGrange. 

After college, she moved to Louisville and began work as a dietitian at the old Baptist Hospital. During this time she met the love of her life, Ferry Darrell Jackson, a Monroe County native and chemist with Corhart Refractory. They married, bought their first home in Hikes Point, complete with a cocker spaniel named Sydney and later celebrated the birth of their only child, Rebecca. They were a beautiful young couple who enjoyed time with family, college friends and coworkers—and most of all with their baby girl and dog.

Both raised on farms and lovers of the outdoors, Margaret and Darrell purchased seven acres in Oldham County—their dream property. Weekends were spent creating a park-like haven with bridges, stonework, and abundant gardens. When Rebecca was six, they built their forever home there, giving her a magical childhood filled with animals, play structures, and endless family hours by the creek.

During her years in Oldham County, Margaret volunteered widely and worked in many roles, including Director of Food Services at Cedar Lake Lodge. She also served on numerous boards, among them the Oldham County School Board.

Endlessly creative, Margaret turned her myriad gifts into a series of home businesses. She designed and sewed baby pillows, blankets, and towels; created exquisite silk draperies, costumes, and clothing for family. A gifted restorer, she bought, refurbished, and sold furniture for many years, building a thriving enterprise with her own hands and eye for beauty and quality. 

Rebecca married John Y Brown III in 1991 and their two children, John (Johnny) Y Brown IV and Margaret (Maggie) Sarah Brown became the focus of Margaret’s life. She was devoted to them—cooking, cleaning, driving, helping with homework, and entertaining— as an active participant in their daily lives throughout their childhood. 

Margaret joined Rebecca and John on the campaign trail as they traveled across Kentucky when John III ran for Secretary of State and served two terms and later ran for Lt. Governor. 

Selfless to her core, she found her deepest happiness in serving her family.

Summers often meant travels abroad with her beloved sisters and extended family—nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews—and she delighted in taking Johnny and Maggie to Europe to broaden their horizons. She taught them to cook and sew, to build from scratch, to play in the woods with boundless imagination, and taught them money management skills  to be frugal: teaching them save on the small things so you can afford what’s truly worth waiting for.

Even as her health declined in recent years, Margaret’s face lit up at the mention of her grandchildren. She remained exceptionally close to her siblings, gathering often and cherishing every moment together. She adored her nieces and nephews; her niece and physician, Dr. Julie Keeling Brown, was a special blessing who cared for her for many years and very tenderly at Sansbury Nursing Care Center during her last few weeks. 

Margaret was blessed with the loving devotion of her niece, Janine Barr Stubblefield, who visited often with treats and thoughtful gifts, and who spent countless hours at her bedside in her final weeks, offering comfort and companionship.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ferry Darrell Jackson (December 21, 2021); brothers Frank Monroe Homan and Joseph William Homan; and sisters Julia Bell Homan, Mary Tom Homan Grider and Nancy Homan Barr Goatley.

She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Jackson Brown (John Y. Brown III) of Louisville; her grandson, John Young Brown IV; her granddaughter, Margaret Sarah Brown; sisters Sarah Ethel Keeling of Springfield and Mattie Catherine Greer of Bardstown; brother in law Harold Ray Jackson (Pamela) of Las Vegas, NV and thirteen beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 3:00–5:00 pm. on Friday, September 12, at New Hope Baptist Church.

3909 Valley Hill Rd. Springfield, KY  40069

Funeral service will follow at 5:00 p.m., with Rev. Bill Greer officiating.  He will be assisted by Rev. Tobe Yankey.

Burial will be in the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to New Hope Baptist Church or Sansbury Care Center.

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