Carolyn Arbell Teixeira Jackson, an economist who later became a Realtor and helped many families realize their dream of homeownership, and a devoted sister, died peacefully on April 10, 2016.
Carolyn was born Feb. 28, 1928, in Quincy. One of four siblings, as a teenager Carolyn worked in her father’s business, a well-known delicatessen in Quincy called Tony’s Jam Kitchen. Following the early death of both her parents, Carolyn moved to Washington, D.C., to attend Howard University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics.
While completing her education at Howard University, she met and married George W. Jackson of Washington, D.C., in 1957. They had two children, Andrea Marie and George Arthur.
Carolyn’s early professional career was in economics; first at the Brookings Institution, then the Departments of Labor, Health, Education and Welfare, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. At midlife, Carolyn sought new challenges, and left civil service to return to her entrepreneurial roots. Accordingly, she established Jackson Realty and worked as a broker and property manager in the District of Columbia and Maryland.
She took pride in helping people secure homes for over 20 years, and would come to life whenever she saw someone in need. Carolyn’s most distinct gift was that of
motivation and empowerment of others. She was never lacking for apt inspirational
advice, and bolstered many to seek and achieve their dreams. To Carolyn, nothing was impossible; it was only a matter of how to achieve the goal. Those who met her will never forget her statuesque presence and dynamic energy.
Carolyn was an active and golden soror in Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., and a charter member of Xi Zeta Omega in Washington, D.C. On retirement from real estate, and following the death of her husband, she moved to Martha’s Vineyard, the place where she had vacationed as a child and owned family property. She and her siblings, Dr. Gertrude Hunter, Teixeira Nash, and Dr. Antonio Teixeira, had an extraordinary bond, which they fueled with daily conversations. They had an annual ritual of celebrating their birthdays together over breakfast for many years.
Carolyn was most devoted to her grandchildren, and actively participated in their
activities and at their schools. She was an avid card player, and pinochle was her
game. She loved people, walking, and social events, and was a frequent visitor at the Oak Bluffs library. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha’s Vineyard and the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging.
Carolyn is predeceased by her husband of 31 years, George W. Jackson, and grandson Harbi Adam. Survivors include brother Dr. Antonio Teixeira and his wife Constance Teixeira, daughter Dr. Andrea Jackson, son George A. Jackson, and six grandchildren, Regina, Faisal, Alexis, Quincy, Jack, and George, and two great-grandsons, Gregory and Jeremy. She has a host of nieces, nephews, and friends to whom she was extremely devoted.
If desired, donations can be made to the Martha’s Vineyard NAACP or the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging. No flowers, please.