Mattie Sue Ross-Jamison

Mattie Sue Ross Jamison was born on August 20, 1930 in Wright City, Oklahoma to John and Daisy Jones Ross. Mattie, her sister Lillie R. and her brothers Johnny D. and Roy L., were blessed to be nurtured by loving and caring parents who were highly respected among friends and neighbors in the community. Mattie was baptized and joined Pleasant Hill Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Irby. She was a 1948 graduate of Peake High School where she excelled as a student. She grew up to be a beautiful and intelligent young lady. Setting her sights on becoming an educator, Mattie attended Arkansas AM&N College now (UAPB) where she earned the BS degree in Education on May 7, 1952. Shortly after graduation she moved west to the sunshine state of California where she begin a teaching career that would span over 20 years. She embellished her career by earning the MSE degree in School Management and Administration from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, CA on May 9, 1976. She taught school at San Gabriel Avenue School in South Gate, California until she retired in June, 1980. Mattie met and married the handsome Daniel Jamison. He loved Mattie dearly and showered her with an abundance of love. He was a stalwart provider, giving Mattie the opportunity to enjoy the finer things that life offered. They were inseparable and after years of love and laughter, he passed into the Lord’s embrace in 1985. In 1987 she moved back to Arkadelphia and reunited with Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. H. B. Montgomery. She busied herself in the church and as well as the community. She was a faithful member having served as a trustee, past president and vice-president of the WMU, Chair of the Women’s Day program and a member of the Department of Christian Education Scholarship Committee. She served with the Newsletter Committee and launched the GPH Bulletin Board which highlighted events, activities of the church and highlight the accomplishments of members in the church. Mattie graciously supported her church financially and led the funding of the Daisy Ross Library in honor of her beloved mother. Mattie took great pride in her community and participated in several civic-related organizations. She served on the Executive Board of the Clark County Branch NAACP, the Peake Alumni Association, the Arkadelphia Women’s Development Council (AWDC) past board member of the South Central Co-op and a member of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Her pastime included cooking and reading. Her favorite book was the Bible and her favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5-6. She enjoyed books authored by Charles Stanley and Joyce Meyer. On Thursday, February 27, 2014, Mattie surrendered her soul and now rests in the arms of the Almighty. She was preceded in transition by her parents, John Ross (1961) and Daisy Ross (1985); her brother, Johnny D. Ross (1942); her beloved Daniel Jamison (1985); her sister, Lillie R. Helms-McNeal (1996) and nephew, Roger Ross (2011). Mattie leaves to her memory with her brother, Roy L. (Mary) Ross; her nephew, Julius (Juanita) Helms; her great-niece, Julie A. Helms-Andrews of Atlanta, GA; her special friend, Delores Flowers; two aunts, Jean Culmore of St. Louis, MO and Lucille Carter of Sparkman; two uncles, Luther Jones and Tommy Jones both of Arkadelphia. She also leaves several cousins and numerous friends. Public visitation will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at the funeral home from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m. Services celebrating her life will be held on Friday, March 7, 2014 at 11:00 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., officiating. Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.