Julia Lovelady Jackson

July 29, 1938 – October 9, 2025
Julia Lovelady Jackson, 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 9, 2025, surrounded by her family.
A public gathering to honor her life will be held on Thursday, October 16, from 6:30–8:00 PM at the Rainbow City Community Center, Rainbow City, AL.
A graveside service will follow on Monday, October 20 12:30pm at Beechwoods Cemetery in New Rochelle, NY, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Rodney Lionel Jackson, who preceded her in death in 1980.
A Community Celebration of Life will be held on Monday October 20 from 6:00-9:00pm at Alvin & Friends in New Rochelle, NY.
Born in Attalla, AL, to Robert Lovelady and Neva Crook Lovelady, Julia graduated from Carver High School, Class of 1954, and earned her nursing degree from Grady Nursing School in Atlanta. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY, fulfilling a lifelong commitment to education and service.
Roman philosopher Seneca wrote, "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." From her first childhood visit to New York City, Julia envisioned living there. She worked toward that dream with focus and determination, and when the opportunity presented itself, she embraced it with courage and faith in what was possible.
Julia began her career as Head Operating Room Nurse at Bronx Hospital (now Bronx-Lebanon), where she met the love of her life, Rodney Jackson. They married in 1966 and soon joined Prospect Hospital, a privately owned hospital in the Bronx. Julia thrived in nursing administration, while Rodney followed his passion for culinary arts, leading the hospital's dietary department and overseeing everything from patient meals to high-profile events. Together, they built a life rich with purpose, partnership, laughter, and love-balancing professional success with genuine joy in family and friendship.
Julia and Rodney deeply cherished the generosity of her sister Alice Lovelady Haley and brother-in-law Harold Cecil Haley, who allowed their children, Harolyn Haley and Haley McBride, to spend extended time in New York with them during their formative years. This blessing inspired Julia and Rodney to welcome a child of their own, Julie Lynne Jackson. Harolyn, Haley, and Julie grew up side by side, forming a bond that felt more like siblings than cousins. Together, they shared a joyful and enduring connection that transcended distance and time. Guided by their beloved matriarch Neva Crook Lovelady, the families built a foundation of love, generosity, and togetherness that continues to bind them across generations.
After Rodney's sudden passing, Julia carried on with the same strength and optimism that had defined her life. She returned to Bronx-Lebanon Hospital as a hospital administrator and retired in 2000, later returning to her hometown of Gadsden to be closer to her sister and extended family.
Retirement did little to slow her down-she traveled often, stayed close with lifelong friends, and visited her daughter in New York several times a year.
Julia was a woman of endless curiosity and creativity. She loved sports of every kind, was an avid crafter, gifted seamstress, and a voracious reader (famously one of the few to read the Affordable Care Act cover to cover). Music was her lifelong companion; her music library and ticket stubs spanned jazz, R&B, country, and everything in between.
Julia saw meeting people from all walks of life as one of life's true privileges. She believed understanding begins with listening and that openness to others brings unexpected joy, insight, and connection. She reminded everyone that life is richer when we stay curious and open to the people and possibilities around us.
Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Jackson; parents Robert and Neva Lovelady; sister Argie Mae Jones; brother James Wesley Bell; and niece Katherine "Burt" Bell.
She is survived by her devoted daughter Julie Lynne Jackson; sister Alice Lovelady Haley; nieces Harolyn Haley Morris, (Jeffrey), Sheila Bell, Adrienne Price, Ai Ling Bell; Nephews Haley McBride, George Jones Jr., Rickey Bell, David Bell, Eric Bell; a special grand-niece Jasmin Morris; and many cherished relatives and friends around the world.
Julia lived life fully, laughed often, and loved deeply. To know her was to be better for it.
In Lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in her name to The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Center for Palliative & Comfort Care.
Mail to: Palliative & Comfort Care Unit 3rd Floor C.P.M Building Room C377 1713 6th Ave South Birmingham, AL 35294 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Julia, please visit our Tree Store.