Melody K. Jackson

FORT WALTON BEACH - Melody K. Jackson of Fort Walton Beach, FL, formerly of Wellsville, passed away peacefully at her residence after an extended illness on May, 17, 2015. She was born on December 16, 1944, to Frank L. and Elizabeth Jackson and was raised in Wellsville. Melody graduated from Wellsville High School in 1962. While attending high school, she was a member of National Honor Society and many other high school organizations. She graduated from Delta State College and was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. Miss Jackson was a physical education teacher with Okaloosa County School System for over thirty years, teaching at New Heights Elementary, Bruner Middle School, and Choctawhatchee High School. For more than three decades she was a champion of female athletes, not only at Choctawhatchee High School but throughout Northwest Florida schools. As associate athletic director, she dedicated herself to equality in sports. In 1999, her dream of having a female sports facility on campus was realized when the Melody K. Jackson Softball and Soccer Complex opened.

Miss Jackson was selected as Choctaw's teacher of the year, a District Teacher of the Year finalist, and as Florida Physical Education Teacher of the Year in 1992. In October 2014, she was chosen as the Choctaw Homecoming Grand Marshal and was inducted into the Choctaw Hall of Fame.

Miss Jackson was a member of the Elks BPOE Lodge 1795. She enjoyed traveling, reading, and playing tennis.

Miss Jackson is survived by a sister: Candrid Brophey of Fort Payne, AL; a niece: Kenna Brophey and family (Jorge and Ava) of New Market, NH; and several cousins in Ohio and many friends.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

The family wishes to thank her many friends who helped make her life a joyful experience and her death a gentle passing.

Services were held in Fort Walton Beach, FL.

The family requests that memorial donations be made in Melody's name to: Florida Elks Charities, Inc. PO Box 49, Umatilla, FL 32784-0049 or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Burial will be in Columbiana County Memorial Park.

Roberts Funeral Home in Wellsville is entrusted with local arrangements.