Helen Joanne Jackson

Helen Joanne Jackson, 84, of Los Angeles, California, and a daughter of Newton, Iowa, transitioned on Thursday, November 18th, 2021, at Mission Community Hospital in Los Angeles. Funeral services will be held on December 4th at 2:00pm at Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials in Joanne’s name can be sent or forwarded to the funeral home at 1115 East 19th Street North, Newton Iowa, 50208. 

Joanne, as she liked to be called, was born at home in Newton at the house that would always be known “as the house that Jack built” on September 10, 1937.  She was the daughter of Harvey (Jack) and Dorothy M. (Banks) Jackson Sr. 

After graduating from Newton High school, she attended Drake University where she began her studies in music. Joanne’s voice and talent propelled her to reach her dreams. She was able to travel the world, singing before dignitaries. Her many accomplishments included: receiving a NAACP award for best supporting actress and being inducted in the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame. She was bigger than life and was loved by all who had a chance to meet her or hear her magical voice.

Joanne is survived by her son Straun Joseph and Daughter-in-law Rosslynn, her siblings Harvey Jr. and Michael of Newton and Marchell of New York, along with a host of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister April, and her brother Bobby Sr.