LeVonne Jackson

JACKSON, Ms. LeVonne - Age 52, passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 12Noon Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2109 M.L. King Ave., with funeral service commencing at 1PM, Rev. Kevin Dixson officiating. Pastor H.B. Dixson, Host Pastor. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 12Noon Wednesday. Mrs. Jackson will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2PM-8PM Tuesday. Ms. Levonne V. “Diamond” Jackson was born August 28, 1955 in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of Charles William Lay and Naomi Lay. She served as one of the choir directors of the Echo’s of Mt. Zion and was president of the voice of Mt. Zion for a term. Levonne graduated from Flint Public Schools and attended University of Michigan-Flint, studying in African Studies. She worked for Flint and surrounding area schools as an Afrikan Drum and Dance Instructor and teaching the Swahili Language. She also worked with the Act-So program for the youth and was an instructor, trainer and chaperone for out of state competitions Freedom School. Levonne was the founder and instructor of Diamonds Chakula Afrikan Ngoma Shule. She lead the Juneteenth parade and Renaissance festival for many years. Levonne was a proprietor of Diamonds Afrikan Import and Export. She knitted blankets for all her children and grandchildren. Levonne enjoyed cooking Sunday dinner for her family and love ones, interior decorating, hair braiding, jewelry making, making clothes and learning and teaching her Afrikan Culture. She was a jack-of-all-trades. Levonne loved her family and the Lord with all her heart. She was known as “Momma D” to a host of children throughout the communities. Ms. Levonne V. “Diamond” Jackson leaves to cherish her memory: fiancé, Matthew Taylor; 2 daughters, Tonya (Kevin) Dixson, Zaire N. Jackson; 4 sons, Stanley C. Holder, Andre T. (FreeFia) Holder, Timothy D. Holder all of Flint and Thomas E. Holder of Holland, MI; 7 god-children, Aysha D. Brantley of Columbus, OH, Ericka Cummings of Flint, Dakarai A. Cole, Jabulani K. Cole, Malaika M. Cole, Kondwani F. Cole, Kitomila T. Cole all of Columbia, TN; 20 grandchildren; devoted mother, Naomi Lay; godmother, Roxie Sims of Flint; sisters, Gwendolyn Elaine (Lennon) Cole of Columbia, TN and several other siblings; god-sisters, Artie Dixson Tyler of Flint, Jackie Corr of Detroit; brothers, Runnell (Daisey) Lay and Daniel M. Lay; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends including special cousin Jean Johnson and special friend, Robert P. Jackson. Ms. Jackson was preceded in death her father Charles William Lay. The family would like to express special thanks to Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church family, Lisa McCarville, Pamela Lee at Clio Floral Depot, loving god-mother, Elaine Cole and family, the nurses at Hurley 4th floor CCU.

LeVonne Jackson

August 25, 1955 - August 13, 2008