Jane Randol Jackson

Jane Randol Jackson, 64, died unexpectedly Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, at the home she shared with her husband, Larry, in The Villages, Fla.

She was born in Cape Girardeau, Sept. 22, 1946, to Dorothy and Narvol A. Randol.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Carolyn Randol Brinkle.

Jane attended Franklin Elementary School, graduated from Central High School in 1964, earned a bachelor of arts degree in French and education from Southeast Missouri State University and a master's degree in French from Middlebury College in Vermont, with studies at the Sorbonne in France.

She taught French at Central High School many years, and German at Southeast Missouri State University for a semester after returning with her husband from Austria, where she taught English as a foreign language four years. Jane then taught gifted students at Kelly High School in Benton, Mo. After retiring from more than 30 years of teaching, she became director of the Cape County Archive Center.

At her death, she was serving as a member of the national Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation board of directors. She was instrumental in founding the nationally recognized Red House Interpretive Center in Cape Girardeau, and served on the board of directors. She also served on the Cape Girardeau Public Library board of directors, and was a member of PEO and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Jane was a lifelong member of Grace United Methodist Church, where she was chairwoman of the board. She wrote a special publication on the history of the church for its 150th anniversary.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Jackson; a son Chris Tilley (Debbie and grandson Benjamin Randol); a brother and sister-in-law, Narvol and Amy Randol; a sister, Margaret Randol Dement; nephews Shannon Randol (Becky), Neil Randol (Nikki), Dale Brinkle (Kristen), Craig Brinkle, Brian Brinkle; nieces Julie Kellick (Tim), Alison Diamond (Lloyd); and a cousin, Jim Burgess (Judy).

Also great-nephews and nieces Ben and Claire Kellick, Sophie Camden Randol and Anthony and Zachary Brinkle. She is also survived by stepchildren Christopher Havelock Jackson, Carol Jackson Tuthill, and Connie Jackson Malone. and their eight children.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at Grace United Methodist Church.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the church, with burial in Cape County Memorial Park.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is handling local arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Red House, c/o Cape Girardeau Parks Department, 410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701; the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 3434, Great Falls, MT 59403; or Grace United Methodist Church, 521 Caruthers Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be left at www.beyersfuneralhome.com.

Florida arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory in Lady Lake, Fla.