Libby Jackson

Elizabeth Hyde Jackson passed away peacefully at her home on December 25, 2025, in Muscle Shoals at the age of 93. Christmas was her favorite day of the year so what a fitting day for her to go to her heavenly home. Her husband, Bernard, and daughter, Beth were by her side.
Elizabeth went by many names, Lizbeth to her mom, Libba to her dad, Lib to her brothers, Libby to her husband and friends, Lizzie to her sister in law, Mom or Momma to her children, Grandmother to her three treasured grandchildren and great grandchildren, Aunt Lib or Aunt Libby to countless nieces and nephews, and she was crowned Miss Libby in the 1980's by neighbors, John and LeAnn McReynolds.
Libby had a genuine goodness about her that drew others to her. She was sweet, kind, gentle, fun, and most always smiling or laughing. She was a beloved wife, mom, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, pet mom and dear friend to so many.
Libby was born to John and Mettie Hyde on March 28, 1932 in Sheffield, AL. She was the 2nd of 4 children and the only daughter. Her father worked for Southern Railway for 50 years and one of Libby's favorite and fondest memories was riding the train to Chattanooga and Memphis with her mom and brothers. She remembered taking her brother Bill to the Memphis Zoo on several occasions. She also loved going to "the picture show" as she called it and marveled that movie prices had gone up from the 10 cents they were in the 1940's! She always told her children that she was thankful she had grown up when she did because times were simpler and safe.
Libby had 3 brothers who she loved dearly, John Jr., Bill, and Allen. She and Bernard named their second son John William Allen (Bill) after her brothers. Libby spent most of her childhood in the beautiful family home on Park Blvd. across from the TN river. She often recalled fond memories of playing and building forts in the wooded areas around Park Blvd. with her friends Lesie Crowson and Pat Martin. She graduated as Salutatorian of her class from Sheffield High School in 1950. She attended college for one semester at Florence State, but then took a job at TVA and eventually worked at Colbert Steam Plant.
Libby met Bernard Jackson when they were elementary students in Sheffield. She remembered him coming to her class to read when he was a 6th grader and she was a 5th grader. She was very impressed with how well he read! Years later they were two single people at a friend's wedding. Six months later they married on November 29, 1953, and were completely devoted to one another for the next 72 years.
Libby and Bernard spent two years at Fort Knox, KY when Bernard served in the Army. There Libby took a job as the secretary to the Chief of Surgery. She was very thankful that she had taken Latin in high school, as it helped her transcribe surgeries that were dictated by the surgeons. Libby and Bernard eventually moved to Birmingham where Bernard attended UAB Dental School. They arrived with one child, Carle Bernard, Jr. and left with three! Bill was born in 1960, followed by daughter Elizabeth Hyde (Beth) 20 months later in 1962.
They decided to settle in Russellville where a dentist was needed and it was also close to Libby's parents in Sheffield. During the 1960's and 70's, Libby was busy raising 3 children and seeing to the needs of her own parents. She was a den mother to Carle's and Bill's cub scout troops, she was involved in the PTA, and she was active at First United Methodist Church. As her children got older and were more independent, she and a friend, Anne Sparks, opened a needlework store, The Spider Web in downtown Russellville. Libby made beautiful needlepoint pictures, pillows, and Christmas stockings for her three grandchildren. She helped sew the needlepoint kneelers at First Methodist Church in Sheffield where she and Bernard had married and where her mother was still active. She also did cross stitch and taught many classes on needlepoint and cross stitch.
Libby thoroughly enjoyed all holidays, especially Christmas, and collected many decorations throughout the years. Her home was always festive and cheery and she welcomed friends and family into her home to share her wonderful cheese straws and other delicious goodies. In the 1980's she decided to dress up as a witch at Halloween to the delight of the neighborhood children. She did get scolded one year when she unwittingly scared a little trick or treater with her witch's nose and scary music! At Easter she had bunnies everywhere and she even dressed up as the Easter Bunny for the church egg hunt when her grandsons were young. For July 4, she loved a good fireworks show and played the 1812 overture at full volume!
In 1998, Libby and Bernard made a big move to the coast of Alabama where they had vacationed for many years. It was a major downsize and move, but they lived in Gulf Shores for 19 years and had lots of new adventures, made new friends, and started new traditions with their children and grandchildren. While there, they opened an antique shop called Cobwebs, but for only a year. Hurricane Ivan came through in '94 and they were forced to close. Libby found a job at the Brown Mule antique store which allowed her to continue to help others with antiques and special finds.
Libby and Bernard enjoyed countless visits from their children and grandchildren during their years in Gulf Shores. They also had visits from many friends from "up north", Russellville and the Shoals area. Libby was President of Parkview Condominium Association for several years and got to know and socialize with special friends there. She and Bernard rode bikes, went to the beach to watch sunsets, and frequented Sea 'N Suds quite often! In 2017 they decided it was time to move closer to their daughter and her family. From 2017-2022, Libby and Bernard lived in Winder, GA. This was a special time because they made it special. Wherever they went or wherever they lived, Libby and Bernard enjoyed life, adventures, neighbors, and each other. They always found an antique market, a special restaurant, or something new to experience. They always had a good time together! They were happy to move back to the Shoals area, "home", in 2022.
Libby had a wide circle of friends and she was dearly loved by all of them. She was fun, outgoing, and adventurous. She loved to travel with Bernard and friends and some of her favorites were trips to Spain, England, Scotland, Hawaii, New York, San Francisco, Nova Scotia, Vancouver, and many other places. She was a fan of Broadway musicals, the symphony, plays, and music. She loved to read, work crossword puzzles, and watch movies. Libby had a soft spot for animals and let her children adopt any stray that came along. Her home was rarely without the companionship of a dog or cat.
Libby will be remembered for her genuine and honest sweetness, kindness, and all around goodness. She never complained and always put the needs of others before herself. She never failed to say, "be careful" when you walked out of her house, even if you were only going to the mailbox! She was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Her memory will live in our hearts and minds forever.
Libby is survived by her husband of 72 years, Bernard Jackson, son Carle Jackson (Regina), daughter Beth Ritchie (David), grandson Alex Ritchie, grandson Jamie Ritchie (Lauren), granddaughter Savannah Little (Jack), daughter in law Tammy Stone, great grandchildren, Charlotte, Parks, and Liles Little, and great grandson, Callum Ritchie.
She is preceded in death by her parents John and Mettie Hyde, brothers John, Bill, and Allen Hyde, and son Bill Jackson. Libby always said she lived a wonderful, full and happy life, but the one great sadness in her life was losing her precious son, Bill.
The family would like to give special thanks to Hospice of North Alabama, especially Katie and Lisa, Elder Care with special thanks to Haley who all provided loving and gentle care. We would like to thank Rev. Jaina Glaize and First Presbyterian Church of Sheffield for their love, kindness and visits. Lastly, we would like to thank Patsy McReynolds, mom's best friend, who has been an angel on earth. She has been constant in her visits, calls, gifts, and presence.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to First Presbyterian Church Benevolence fund or St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, whom mom and dad have supported for many years.
A Memorial Service for Libby will be held on January 9 at First Presbyterian Church, Sheffield. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. with the service immediately following. Family and friends are invited to come celebrate and remember Libby.