Jacqueline Jimerson-Durant
Passed 01/01/2021
Jacqueline (Jackie) Jimerson-Durant was the oldest of three children, born to Edna Francis (Houston) Jimerson and Fred Jimerson on July 08, 1945, in Salamanca, NY. Her father’s family are members of the Heron Clan of the Seneca Nation of Indians. Deemed “The Keepers of the Western Door,” the Seneca tribe occupies western New York. The nation also has roots in Oklahoma, relocating as a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Although Jackie had deep roots in Seneca culture, she was never granted full membership to a clan, due to the matrilineal kinship system of the Iroquois League. Nevertheless, she proudly carried the Jimerson tribal name.
Determined to be self-sufficient, Jackie secured a job in a dry cleaner by the age of 13. Nurturing an adventurous spirit, the following year, she set out on her own to begin her life as an independent young woman in Erie, Pennsylvania. By the age of 15, Jackie had become a young mother of two beautiful boys, Miguel and Juan. Faced with responsibilities accompanying being a single mother at such a young age, she made the difficult decision to allow her sons to move to Puerto Rico to reside with their father, where they reside today. After many years of self-reflection, trial and error, and becoming the mother to three more sons, Kelly, Arthur (Mo), and Alester (Spence); Jackie understood that her economic advancement was directly tied to the completion of her formal education. She studied hard and earned a general equivalency diploma, and subsequently enrolled in a Learning Practical Nursing (LPN) school program, designed to uplift single mothers from poverty.
Raising three rambunctious boys, completing an LPN program, while working two jobs was not easy, but Jackie persevered. Committed to never being tardy to work or school, Jackie purchased a bicycle and would often be spotted riding it up and down Princesses Anne Road to one of her jobs as a hotel maid. At night, she bravely drove a cab, taxing stranger after stranger around the Norfolk area. Nevertheless, she held fast, studied hard, and graduated - finishing first in her class. Jackie would always say, “Two ‘Buds’ and a cigarette, and I could study all night. It was hard, but it was worth it!”
After graduating and passing the state board nursing exam, Jackie was immediately hired at the William T. Hall Nursing Home in Portsmouth, VA. She found this job relatable and was delighted to work in the nursing home environment. Some of her patients were abandoned or estranged from their families, so Jackie became a “surrogate daughter” to many; bringing them toiletries, snacks, and giving the occasional “come to Jesus talk” to those she cared for. She was excellent at that! Proudly and frequently, Jackie would bring her children to work to meet coworkers and clients. She would remind her children of the importance of helping others in need. She taught her children, “You’re no better than anyone, and no one is better than you. We’re all the same!”. True to her adventurous and ambitious spirit, the eager beaver, bundle of energy, “pistol” realized taking on additional private duty nursing work would become her “way out”. Her persistence paid off, and at 32, Jackie moved her three children from a two-bedroom public housing apartment into a four-bedroom house, as well as secured her first car.
During her employment at Lafayette Villa Health Care Nursing Home in Norfolk, VA; she met a charismatic nursing assistant, John Durant, which led to many fruitful years of marriage and three additional sons, Shawn, Stephen, and Dandre. John, a former medic in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, was also an adventurous spirit. Looking for a change of scenery, they relocated back to Erie, PA to start a new life together, allowing Jackie to reunite with and care for her aging mother. Jackie, with the love and support of her husband John, was able to become a full-time mother and grandmother. These new roles were welcomed challenges, as she previously never had the luxury of devoting enough time or energy to cultivate her family. Jackie proved to not only be capable of attending to her own family’s needs but she also affectionately opened her own daycare center. Through the daycare center, she was able to help young mothers like herself; never turning away anyone for lack of resources. Jackie’s search is finally over - she found her own Clan!
Jackie is preceded in death by her husband John, and is survived by her children, Miquel A. (Carmencita) Torres Jimerson and Juan L. (Leticia) Torres Jimerson of Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, Kelly R. (Rochelle) Jimerson of Charlotte, NC, Shawn K. Durant of Norfolk, VA, Arthur L. (Angela) Jimerson of Durham, NC, Stephen D. Durant of Erie, PA, Alester S. Jimerson of Salamanca, NY, Dandre C. Durant of Norfolk, VA, grandchildren, Miguel Torres Berrios; Juan & Yanitzia Torres-Vega; Kelly Ocasio, Marquisha, Domonique, Rashyid Jones & Ahmahn Jimerson; Cydnie Randolph, Amiya Quinn-Jimerson, Matthew Chavis, Nylah, Ari & Zachary Jimerson; Auirella Durant; Ariana, Ajay, Julian & Savanna Jimerson; Asauntae Durant-Epps; special daughters: Bernice Moyer of Erie, PA, Roselyn (William) McQuaig of Durham, NC, Valerie H. (Tony) Foster of Erie, PA.
Although the music has stopped for Jackie, the melody of her life and love continues on! Thank you to the awesome staff at Pettigrew Rehabilitation Center & Duke University Hospital for the years of caring for our mother.