Overa Mary Jackson

Overa Mary Jackson was born November 8, 1919, to William Ernest Ragsdale and Effie Monroe Elam Ragsdale in Gray, OK. On March 31, 2025, at the age of 105, with family by her side, she went to be with her Lord and Savior. Overa was the youngest of twelve siblings along with her twin sister Obera Eggers.

Overa was raised in Gray, OK until 1935 when the family escaped the Oklahoma Dust Bowl for a “Farming Life” in Dove Creek, CO. It was there she met Thomas Jackson, and they were married on July 2, 1939. To this union, of 61 years, they raised three children, Verdell, Gary and Deann.

Thomas and Overa worked as partners on their farm and thought they were given a special gift in the farm, preserving it for future generations. Overa babysat for some of her nieces and nephews because, being a farmer’s wife, she was the only one that didn’t work outside the home. Overa loved to sew, crochet, quilt, bowl, can fruits and vegetables, feeding the harvest crews in the summer and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She rarely missed a sporting event.

One of her greatest wishes was that all her family would know the Lord as their personal Savior. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dove Creek, CO, for over 70 years.

Overa is survived by her three children: Verdell and Linda Jackson of Kalispell MT, Gary Jackson and Vicki Hogie of Berthoud, CO. and Deann and Loyd Knuckles of Dove Creek, CO.

She is also survived by her grandchildren; Scott Knuckles of Dove Creek, CO, Shawn Jackson of Berthoud, CO, April and Jason DeZell of Kalispell MT and Shelly and Joe Purkat of Mancos, CO. Great-grandchildren; Shelbie and Matt Beanland of Dove Creek, CO, Nicholas Williamssen-Jackson of Berthoud, CO, Jacina DeZell of Bozeman, MT, Josiah, Aria, Cassia and Savannah DeZell of Kalispell, MT, Justin and Dannika Purkat of Mancos, CO, Kevin Purkat of Gunnison, CO, and Jonathan Purkat of Mancos, CO. Great-great grandchildren; Cael and Taryn Beanland of Dove Creek, CO. Sister-n-law Edith Ragsdale Gooch of Dove Creek, CO and brother-n-law Norman and Janet Utley of Cortez, CO. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Overa was preceded in death by her husband Thomas, grandson Bryan Jackson, her parents and siblings Leonard, Earl, Ella, Elam, Lambert, Velma, Conrad, Clifford, Veda, Grady, and twin sister Obera.

Funeral services were held April 12, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Dove Creek, CO. Interment was at the Dove Creek Cemetery.