Josephine Ardelia Jackson

Josephine Ardelia Clark was born on October 19, 1933 into the arms of Linne Mae and James Valderman Clark in the city of Jackson, Mississippi. She was the youngest child in their family of six. Her siblings are Ross Clark, Miles Clark and Alice Smith-Risby. The family dynamics changed when the marriage of her parents dissolved.

James V. Clark remarried Janie Wingo. James and Janie quickly produced another loving family and Josephine soon had additional siblings, Larry Clark, Marvin Clark, Illeana Clark- Smith, Rev. Ralph Clark, Wayne Clark and Jeffrey Clark.

Josephine graduated high school and went on to Howard University where she met a young physics professor, Robert W. Yancey, who became her husband. Josephine gave birth to Robert Yancey II, Michael Yancey, Joseph Yancey and Karl Yancey. They settled and raised their young family in Riverside, California. In a household full of males, a female child was desired and a two-year- old girl was adopted. By adding Valerie Yancey-King their family was then complete.

Josephine and Robert Yancey embarked on an adventure and moved their family from California to Puerto Rico. They raised their children among the Boriquens. The children attended school on Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, where both Josephine and Robert worked as Civil Servants. Cherished memories were made with family and friends in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Josephine completed her bachelor’s degree while there; determined to finish before her children earned theirs.

After seven years on the island, it was time to return to Riverside, California and it was there in July 1989, Robert Yancey went home to be with his Lord and Savior. 

After the loss of her husband, Josephine prayed to God daily for another good husband. He heard and answered the prayers of this God-fearing woman and at a friend’s dinner party, she was introduced to Theartic Jackson, a successful, intelligent widower. Following a reasonable courtship, they were married. Josephine spent the remainder of her life in a loving marriage under Theartic’s protective wing.

Theartic and Josephine’s family was instantly established at their wedding with the blending of families. Theartic’s adult children, Theartic Jr. and Jennifer Jackson-Sawyer, became part of the beautiful tapestry surrounding Josephine Jackson. Theartic and Josephine started their marriage in Corona, California and soon returned to Riverside where they both continued to work. Josephine served as Director of Southern California Children Services for Riverside County. She remained in their employ until her retirement. In 2008, Theartic and Josephine relocated to Texas. They established their home in Plano, Texas in close proximity to her daughter Valerie King who resides in McKinney.

Josephine and Theartic spent their retirement traveling throughout the United States checking on grandchildren, family members and friends. They visited Europe and China as well. Josephine was a devoted long-term member of Hunter’s Glen Baptist Church where she sang in the choir, served as hostess for the English as a Second Language ministry and actively participated in Sunday School. At the blessed age of 92, on Friday, July 3, 2026 she peacefully departed this world, heaven-bound to be with her Lord and Savior.

Josephine is survived by her husband Theartic Jackson; her sons; Michael Yancey; Joseph Yancey (Constance); Karl Yancey (Renee), her daughter in-law Angela Chin-Yancey (Robert Yancey II), her daughter Valerie King, her daughter Jennifer Sawyer, her siblings Marvin Clark and Rev. Ralph Clark (Karen) and she was blessed with sixteen grandchildren and thirty-one great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held to honor Josephine’s life at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026 in the chapel at Allen Family Funeral Options.

To view the service, live via webcast please access the link below: https://player.funeralvue.com/events/qqd7sw75/player