Marsha Lynne Primus Jackson

Marsha Lynne Primus Jackson was born on February 23, 1961 to the late Nathaniel Henry Primus and Hestella Broadwater Primus at Byerly Hospital in Hartsville, South Carolina. Her paternal grandparents were the late Rev. William Desverney Primus and the late Mrs. Lucille Lowe Primus. Her maternal grandparents were the late Samson James Broadwater and the late Mrs. Addie Williams Broadwater.

     Marsha received her education in Darlington County, South Carolina, attending Washington Street Elementary, Hartsville Junior High, and Hartsville Senior High School, graduating with the class of 1979. She was very active in the school’s marching, concert, and jazz bands where she achieved a number of awards for superior and excellent performances during solo, duet, trio, and quartette competitions. Her musical talents were also exhibited during her playing various instruments including the clarinet, contrabass, and the piano. She was a drum major, flag girl, and jazz pianist. She gave credit to her piano instructors, Mrs. Beatrice B Streater and Miss Evelyn Saleeby, and her band instructors. She was twice invited to participate with the USA Bands overseas and received the All-American Hall of Fame Band Honors in recognition of her outstanding musical dedication and service. As a teenager, she excelled in playing piano compositions by such well-known composers as Bach, Schubert, Beethoven, Brams, and others. She was very active in church activities and various community services. She was a girl scout, a “Candy Striper” at Byerly Hospital, a member of the “Ebony Elite,” and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

     She was Christened as a child at Centenary United Methodist Church by Pastor OJ Nelson, and as a teenager, she joined the church under Pastor Clifford Ferguson. She began playing for the sunday school and was later chosen to play as the church pianist until she graduated from high school, leaving to attend the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Her career choices included music, business and medical technology. She then transferred to Florence-Darlington Technical College and earned an Associates Degree in Phlebotomy for Medical Lab… She did her internship in the Florence and Hartsville hospital systems.

     Shortly after graduation, she was married to George F. Jackson of Richmond, Virginia. She was employed as a Medical Lab Technologist. She then continued her education, graduating Cum Laude from Virginia Commonwealth University with degrees in Marketing and Business. Job transfers made it necessary for the couple to move to Willow Grove, PA. Marsha was employed with Genactics where she was appointed Senior Project Director. She then became Senior Project Manager of TVG of Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Consultants Healthcare Marketing. Her last position was held at the Jackson Zabor McManus, Inc. in Durham, North Carolina where she was Research Manager in the qualitative research division until her health declined. Marsha was a very dedicated person who got along with and was well respected by her teachers, co-workers, and friends.

     Surviving to cherish the memory and legacy of Marsha Lynne Primus Jackson include her loving mother, Hestella B Primus of Hartsville, SC; her two brothers, Nathaniel (Yvette) Primus of Jacksonville, FL and Reginald D Primus of Kannapolis, NC; a devoted sister and caregiver, Stella Areece Primus of Hartsville, SC; two nephews, Justin P Reed of Columbia, SC and Darius N Primus of Jacksonville, FL; four aunts, Saloma B Davenport of Leonia, NJ, Chorsie B Calhoun of Newberry, SC, Alice C Broadwater of Louisville, KY, and Thomasena P Jefferson of Detroit, MI; two uncles, Thomas D Broadwater of Newberry, SC and Burton (Rosetta) Broadwater of Hanover, MA; extended family, Geraldine, Rodney, and Sierra Daye all of Durham, NC an a host of other relatives, close friends, and co-workers.

     The family of Marsha Lynne Primus Jackson extends their heartiest thanks to all who have been so kind and supportive during her lifetime and especially during those difficult months and days during her illness. The family also requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Marsha’s memory to the American Cancer Society, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, or a charity of your choice