Raymond Jackson, 87, of Big Spring, died on Thursday, April 17, 2003, at his residence. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Monday, April 21, 2003, at the Hillcrest Baptist Church with Rev. Elwin Collom, chaplain of Home Hospice, officiating and Rev. Herb McPherson, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, assisting. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park with Dr. Claude Craven, retired Baptist minister, officiating. He was born on July 25, 1915 in Greenville, Texas and married Clara Jones on January 9, 1937 in Big Spring, Texas. She preceded him in death on July 11, 2001. Mr. Jackson moved to Big Spring in 1955. He loved his family, church and God and enjoyed gospel music, traveling, camping and talking to people. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church where he had served as director and songleader of his Sunday School Class. Mr. Jackson was ordained as a Baptist deacon at Westside Baptist Church in the early 1970's. Survivors include three daughters, Norma Sundy and her late husband, Monroe, of Big Spring, Elaine Owens and her husband, Jackie, of Lampasas and Daphna Smith and her husband, Randy, of Terrell; a sister-in-law, Mamie Madry of Big Spring; eight grandchildren, Karla Sundy Lepard of Weatherford, Donna Sundy Springer of Ballinger, Ronald Sundy of Big Spring, Kenneth Owens, Carrie Lynn Owens Hyatt and Tobi Jean Owens McGee all of Lampasas and Shari Smith Gervers of Terrell and Captain Owen Smith of Enid, Oklahoma; eleven great grandchildren, Bryan Lepard, Amy Lepard Campbell, Melissa Springer, Drew Springer, Melody Owens, Sarah Beth Owens, Bailey Hyatt, Jackie Hyatt, Maci McGee, Lane Gervers and Rylan Gervers. He was also preceded in death by his parents; four sisters; a grandson, Rodney Paul Owens and a great grandson, Kyle David Springer. Kenneth Owens, Owen Smith, Ronald Sundy, Drew Springer, Bryan Lepard and Phil Springer will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be all grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials to: Home Hospice, 600 S. Gregg, Big Spring, Texas 79720. The family will receive friends from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home. The family wishes to thank Kirk McKnight and the Home Hospice staff and Mary Greene for their love, care and concern for Raymond and the Jackson family, especially for the Certified Nursing staff who sang gospel songs with Daddy. Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
