Dewitt Obits

Cherry Ellen Jackson Kingston

Cherry Ellen Jackson Kingston, 95, a resident of Martin Health Center, Bloomington, formerly of Weldon passed away peacefully in the arms of her Savior at 2:11 p.m., Sunday, March 3, 2019. She was born October 8, 1923 in Weldon the daughter of Andrew and Leita (Gray) Jackson. She married Corwin Kingston on August 3, 1947.

 

She is survived by her daughter, Cherene (Gary) White of Deland and son Kevin (Jennifer) Kingston of Bloomington. Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren, Charity (Joshua) Shofner, Weldon and Garin White, Deland, Chelsea (Steve) Erickson of Hamilton, Massachusetts and Taylor Kingston (fiancé, Michael Le - Boston, Massachusetts) of Somerville, Massachusetts. One beloved great-granddaughter, Cydney Shofner also survives. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and brother, Bennie Jackson, of Hobart, Indiana.

 

Services will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Weldon United Methodist Church, Weldon, Il. with Rev. C. Don Ferrill officiating. Burial will follow at Nixon Township Cemetery, Weldon, IL. Visitation will be 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Friday, April 5, 2019 at the Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, Il.

Memorials may be directed to the Weldon United Methodist Church or Westminster Village Foundation in Bloomington. 

 

Cherry was a graduate of Nixon Township High School in 1942 and Illinois State University in 1946 with a teaching degree in English. Her first teaching position was in Paxton in 1946. From then on, she loved teaching and was a life-long learner. She was an avid reader and wrote and directed many plays. She loved poetry and writing poems came early to her. She was an excellent note taker for every committee she ever served on and those are too numerous to mention. She loved her church, the Weldon United Methodist, of which she was a lifetime member. She was an original founding member of Martha Circle in the church and spent many hours serving others. She taught kindergarten in Sunday School for many years and on the nurture (education) committee and directed many Christmas and Easter programs.

 

She was an excellent cook and loved having her family for Sunday dinner among countless other occasions. She entertained family and friends for many years. It was her love and passion.

 

She and Corwin enjoyed numerous trips with friends over the years and were blessed to see many sights in the U.S. and abroad. She loved spending time in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida but would only stay six weeks in the winter as she missed being home too much.

 

Cherry will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

 

Our love and gratitude for the wonderful, caring staff at Villas of Hollybrook, Monticello, Martin Health Center in Bloomington, and OSF Hospice.