BJ Jackson

BJ Jackson

BJ ( Betty Jo) Jackson, lifetime resident of the Kelso-Longview area passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2006 after a prolonged argument with cancer, always referred to by BJ as "her bugs". Born Betty Jo McDiarmid May 19, 1928 in Elma, WA. Her parents, Frank and Carrie McDiarmid moved to North Kelso and operated a dairy farm on the site of the present day Huntington Jr. High School. BJ graduated from Kelso High in 1946 and married Harvey Herron later that year. They settle on Willow Grove Island where BJ operated the family dairy farm while Harvey worked towboats on the Columbia. Over the years she brought 18 foster children into her home, keeping children of broken families together. In 1980 she married Beryl Jackson, long time Kelso resident and heavy equiment dealer. BJ worked in the South Kelso scrap yard helping Beryl buy and sell logging equipment worldwide. They built a home on the beach at Willow Grove where she lived until recently. BJ was very proud and grateful for the time that she was able to spend with her children. In 1983 when her son Pat was incarcerated in Siberia for investigating Russian whaling, she flew to Nome, Alaska and joined the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior when he and others were returned. The time BJ was able to spend with her daughter Corkey was very special to her. BJ is survived by her children Corkey and Pat, Marvin Raab son-in-law, Sharon Herron, daughter-in-law, 2 granddaughters Lorri Anne and Crystal, great grandson Kyle, 2 great granddaughters Kitrar and Lillian and Poppy long time four-legged companion. A Celebration of her Life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park followed by a light luncheon. In liew of floral arrangements, BJ requests donations to Community Home Health & Hospice P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632. Arrangements by Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park.

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