Valerie Mae Caldwell Jackson, 81

SEAFORD, Del. - Valerie Mae Caldwell Jackson, 81, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2008 at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, Del.

She was born on Aug. 31, 1926 to the late Lucinda Cornish and Chelsea Caldwell in Cambridge.

Valerie attended F. D. St. Clair High School in Dorchester County, with the Class of 1943.

She was joined in holy matrimony to William J. Jackson on Jan. 31, 1956.

While she was the mother of six, she found time to work at Cladwell Casting and other factories in Cambridge and Trappe. She loved working in food service jobs and did so in the dietary department at Dorchester General Hospital, the cafeteria at DuPont, a health care center, a truck stop and even a bowling alley. In her later years, she enjoyed being a homemaker.

She attended New Zion Methodist Church in Laurel, Del. until her health failed and she moved with her daughter in Seaford.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, William J. Jackson; a sister, Christine "Ty" Allen (John) of Cambridge; a brother, Chelsea Banks of Cambridge; a brother-in-law, Robert Jackson of Cambridge; four children, Anthony M. Woolford (Barbara) of East New Market, Carmen Abbott (Fontaine) of Seaford, Del., Carlos Jackson (LaVern) of Rehoboth, Del., Consuelo Hickman (Benny) of Magnolia, Del.; 15 grandchildren - Karwin Turner Sr. (Kathy) of Glen Burnie, Talia Hickman and Benny Hickman Jr. of Dover, Del., Colleen Morgan (Russell) of Greensboro, N.C., Cherise Johnson of Greensboro, N.C., Monica Kirby of Brandon, Fla., Anthony Blake of Dover, Del., Tawana Hayman of Cambridge and Dolly, Vernon, Mercedes, Carlos Jr., Raphael, Levi and Jasmine Jackson, all of Rehoboth, Del.; eight great-grandchildren; one aunt, Elizabeth Cornish of Cambridge; and a number of cousins, other relatives and three special friends, Peggy Camper, Elsie Pinder and Thoris Brown.

A daughter, Diane Woolford-Mattocks preceded her in death.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Henry Funeral Home, PA in Cambridge.