Hettie Leaetta 'Sis' Jackson

Hettie Leaetta "Sis" Jackson, 95, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., departed this life on Sept. 13, 2014. She was born on April 30, 1919, in Cedar County, Mo., on Horse Creek.

She was the daughter of Walter John and Ferol (Dunaway) Jackson. Leaetta was delivered by her grandfather, Dr. L.T. Dunaway. He tagged her with the nickname "Sis" at birth by saying, "We have a little sister."

The family moved to El Dorado Springs, Mo., in the fall of 1919. The flu struck in 1920, taking her father, Walter John. Sis also became very ill but managed to survive.

Greenwood School, located at SWMS, was the first school Sis attended. In later years, Leaetta earned a degree from SMS in 1940. The interim was in El Dorado Springs, Mo., School.

Sis began teaching in 1941. Then in 1943, she entered the military and spent 33 months serving her country. She left the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant, arriving home in March of 1946. Leaetta finished teaching the school year at Roscoe, Mo. She took a break from teaching for about two years, then spent the rest of her teaching career in Stockton and Nevada, finally settling in El Dorado, Mo. Sis retired in 1975 to care for her mother, Ferol, who passed away in 1989.

During Leaetta's lifetime, she loved outdoor sports, gardening, golf, basketball, volleyball, softball, fishing and generally watching the birds and other wild life. Gradually, over time the participation in these activities became less and less; the will to try was always present, but the drive was receding.

Preceding Leaetta in death were her parents, Walter John and Ferol (Dunaway) Jackson; a brother, Walter Dunaway; and a nephew, A. Scott. Survivors include two nephews and their families, Tom of Miami, Okla., and Jay of Tulsa, Okla.; and numerous friends and former students.

Leaetta has finally gone home to be with her family. She lived her life as an angel of hope.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery at 2 p.m. with military honors. Arrangements are under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the El Dorado Springs City Park and left at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at bland-hackleman.com.