Lenora c. Jackson

Lenora C. Jackson, 74, Philadelphia, PA, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2024, surrounded by family.

Lenora, affectionately known as “Noodles” was the third oldest daughter of twelve children, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the late Dorothy Fletcher and Edgar Fletcher on October 9, 1950. She was educated in the Philadelphia public School system. Lenora graduated from South Philadelphia High School in June of 1969.

Noodles worked at Quartermaster for most of her life and found her passion for sewing. With that passion she has taught her daughters and granddaughters how to be seamstresses. She then went on to work at the US Postal Service until she retired.

Noodles was not an avid sports fan, but she was the loudest cheer leader for her family. Anyone she met instantly liked her, and to know her, was to love her. There is not a single person she has met that has ever walked away without a smile and some ancient wisdom. To think of Noodles, she embodied the definition of the word matriarch, and she augmented it with love, patience and compassion. She was the bridge for so many. Continuing traditions and embodying family unity was her mantra that she instilled in others as the ultimate mother figure to all who looked up to her.

Lenora had two great loves in her life. The first was her husband Freddie W. Gray, who preceded her in death, with whom she shares two daughters. The second was her late husband Leroy Pearsall with whom she shared a wonderful life raising their grandchildren and taking trips.

Noodles or Aunt Noodles, known by her nieces and nephews, leaves behind to cherish her memory: her children Louis Jackson, daughter-in-law Patrice Jackson, Walter Jackson, Andrea Jackson, Ebony Murray Ortega, Traci Castelli and son in law Nicholas Castelli; grandchildren, Hakeem Jackson, Shaquanna Jackson Green, Marquis Jackson, Andre Jackson, Ameria Jackson, Janiesa Jackson, Mark Jackson, Amir Jackson, Aliyah Jackson, Talia Butler, Nafisa Jackson, Gabriel Murray Gray, Kenneth Butler, Yohany Murray Gray; her great grandchildren Maurice Jackson Jr., Cyrai Jackson, Lamont Jackson, Auri Jackson and Paisley Jackson. She also leaves behind her favorite brother Leonard Fletcher who she affectionately called Lenny and sisters Patricia, Dorothy, Carmelita and Laverne and a slew of cousins, nieces and nephews who she loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two of her brothers, Edgar and Hugh, her baby sister, Novella and her grandson Maurice Jackson, great granddaughter Kahaijah Jackson and nephew Keith Fletcher.