Linda Kay Jackson, matriarch of the Jackson family, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Scioto Rehabilitation and Care Center, with her family by her side.

Born on November 29, 1944, in Middletown, Ohio, she was the daughter of Vashti Taylor. Linda followed her mother and hero,who broke barriers as the first Black principal in Dayton Public Schools, into a career in education. She attended Roosevelt High School, earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Central State University, and received a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Wright State University. While working at The Ohio State University, she pursued doctoral studies in student personnel services.

Linda married the love of her life, James Kenneth "Jim" Jackson. While living in Cincinnati, she held a number ofpositions at the University of Cincinnati, including assistant vice provost for student affairs and assistant dean for student development. Earlier, she taught language arts and served as a school counselor in Dayton Public Schools. She was also associate director of Project Echo at the University of Dayton, where she developed and led tutoring, counseling, and enrichment programs for minority students.

Linda and Jim later moved to Columbus, where they built a wonderful life together. At Ohio State, she held several leadership roles in the Office of Minority Affairs. Serving alongside Dr. Frank Hale Jr., she was a key administrator and, as director of administration, helped guide the office's daily work and long-term mission. She also directed the Minority Scholars Program, which recruited and supported minority talent at the university. When Dr. Hale retired, Linda stepped in as acting vice provost for Minority Affairs, ensuring continuity of leadership for the office and the students it served. Together, she and Dr. Hale helped establish academic honor societies and support systems for African American and minority students, creating spaces where they could be recognized, supported, and encouraged to excel. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society and advisor to the Mu Xi Chapter at OSU.

Her commitment to young people reached beyond Ohio State. Linda played a key role in recruiting African American students to the Wellington School, widening access to educational opportunities for many families. She enrolled her son Jimmy the year the school opened in the 1980s, and he charted the path for the Black students who followed. Her legacy lives on in the students she mentored, the programs she built, and the many lives she touched through her service.

Above all, Linda was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She treasured time with friends and family, and her east Columbus home was the cornerstone of the Jackson family and a gathering place familiar to many. There she hosted parties, shared countless laughs and conversations with her girlfriends, prepared amazing meals, and watched her favorite TV shows with her family. Linda was the ultimate communicator and loved people. She met no strangers, greeting everyone with a warm "Hey, kid!" or "Hey kiddo!" As one family member put it, anyone in her atmosphere was going to strive for excellence.

A respected leader in the community, Linda dedicated her life to ensuring that African Americans and other minorities had access to equal opportunities across Columbus. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Columbus Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, where she was elected president for two terms. She was also a proud member of Carats, Incorporated, Girl Friends, Incorporated, and Jack and Jill of America.

Linda was preceded in death by her mother, Vashti Taylor, andbeloved husband, Jim Jackson, and survived by her sons, Jimmy and Scott; daughter-in-law, Renee; grandchildren, Avery and Jaden; sister-in-law, Rose; nephew, Martin, and a host of other family members and friends.

There will be a public visitation held on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at St. Paul AME Church located at 639 E. Long Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 at 8am with a church service to begin at 9am.  Burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Garden