Mary Lois Jackson

Mary Lois McElheney Jackson, 94, passed away Saturday, January 31, 2026. Her funeral will be held Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Sunshine Church in Round Oak, Georgia, with burial to follow at Sunshine Church Cemetery. The family will greet loved ones for an hour prior to the service at the same location.

Ms. Mary Lois was born to the late Samuel and Mattie Erma Jackson McElheney on July 16, 1931. She was born in Round Oak, which she always called home. Mary Lois graduated from Jones County High School in 1948 and was widely recognized as a stellar athlete both there and in the Round Oak community. She was a member of the Jones County High School basketball team, which earned all-region distinction, and played for all four years of school. She met her beloved husband, Clifford, after high school and enjoyed more than seven decades by his side.

As a young woman, Mary Lois held a variety of jobs in and near the Round Oak community including at Round Oak General Store, Round Oak Post Office, Swift Ice Cream, and packaging peaches at Cherokee Peach Packing in Bradley before settling into a career as a secretary with the UGA Extension Office. She also enjoyed being a housewife and poured time and love into her family. Mary Lois was always fond of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, and she was immensely proud of her grandchildren’s accomplishments at the university. Ms. Mary Lois was kind, considerate, and a pillar of the community. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of getting to know her.

Ms. Mary Lois was a dedicated and proud congregationalist of Sunshine Church. At the time of her passing, she was the oldest member of the congregation. Her love and support for the church will be missed almost as much as her physical presence. Donations in her honor can be directed to Sunshine Church, generally, or to their specific cemetery fund.

In addition to her parents, Mary Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Ardene Jackson. She is survived by her children, Mike and Bubba (Cora); grandchildren, Doug, Abigail (Mike “Chuck” Bretzlaff), Cliff (Emily); and great grandchildren, Hannah and Ava. Additionally, she is survived by her sister, Louneal “Pete” Tillman and numerous nieces and nephews.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s Jones County Chapel, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 307 Pecan Lane, Gray, GA 31032 has charge of the arrangements.