Social and Civic Whirl: Pianist Extraordinaire Hermione W. Jackson Celebrated 100 Years of Life

Following the morning worship service, a program and reception were held in the church’s fellowship hall.  Many of the persons, in attendance, included church members, friends, former students, and her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority sisters. Her grandchildren came from California and Georgia; and nieces and nephews travelled from the Maryland and D.C. area as well as Virginia Beach to celebrate 100 years of “Mudear’s” life.  As the guests ate a delicious repast, some of them gave great testimonies about their memories of this exceptional musician and personality. 

In their remarks they talked about her comedy routines; her expertise in the classroom; her involvement in the community; and her musical talents.  The Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Norfolk, VA), President, Violet J. Hoyle, read a Proclamation honoring Hermione Jackson’s 100th birthday and 75 years of committed service to AKA.  Mrs. Jackson’s contribution to the Iota Omega Chapter included organizing, directing and accompanying the Iota Omega Ensemble and was selected as pianist for regional and national conferences.  She also “wrote the creative music for the chapter song.”  In honor of their soror, the Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha renamed their annual four-year scholarship, presented each year to a high school senior, THE IOTA OMEGA HERMIONE W. JACKSON SCHOLARSHIP.

Before the program ended, Richard Cowell a saxophone player with the group formerly known as “The Quarter Notes” played a couple of songs to honor the honoree. The highlight of the afternoon was Mrs. Hermione W. Jackson treating the guests, as only she could, with some of her favorite tunes (played from memory).

Mrs. Jackson’s son thanked everyone for coming out to help celebrate his mother’s life and gave special thanks to Rosalyn Neal and the hospitality committee at Grace for their help and making sure that this celebration was a great affair.