Colleen Mary Jackson, age 71, of Canton, Georgia, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Northside Hospital Cherokee.

Born on December 7, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, Colleen was the cherished daughter of the late John and Beverly Lou Maguire. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, and treasured sister whose kindness and caring nature left a lasting impression on all who knew her. Along with her parents, Colleen was preceded in death by her sister, Pam Maguire of Columbia, South Carolina.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her loving husband, Jay Lee Jackson of Canton, Georgia; her children, Jennifer Beverly Jackson of Atlanta, GA, Brian Lee (Bonnie) Jackson of Canton, Georgia, and Tracey Leigh (Jerry) Messick of Port Orange, Florida; her beloved grandchildren, Ashleigh, Allyssa, Kelsey, and Andrew; her brother, John (Theresa) Maguire of St. Augustine, Florida; her sister, Mary Rose Roberts of Vero Beach, Florida; as well as many extended family members and dear friends.

Colleen’s passions were her family, whom she loved baking desserts and finding the perfect gifts for, and traveling which included many cruises including trips to Alaska and the Caribbean, trips to Disney, cabin weekends, beach vacations, and a mom-daughter bucket list trip to Ireland where she was able to explore her Irish roots. She was an avid reader and consumed 100s of books in her lifetime and enjoyed thriller novels in particular. She was a food artist specializing in tacos, pot roast dinner, corn beef and cabbage, shrimp scampi, fudge brownies, and her famous lemonade pie which always made an appearance at family functions. Colleen also enjoyed a good meal out paired with a respectable 5 o’clock adult beverage – cheers! Finally, her greatest passion was her role as soulmate to her devoted husband, Jay Lee, with whom she recently celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary renewing her vows to the man that has honored those promises to the very end.

The family will receive friends and family for visitation on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Darby Funeral Home.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Colleen Mary Jackson.

“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us”