mary alice blalock jackson
1900-1988
Life Story
Early Life and Family
Mary Alice Blalock Jackson was born in Newton County, Mississippi, about 1899–1900, most likely on March 7, 1900, based on later records. She was the daughter of Ike Blalock and Mary Young Blalock and grew up in Beat 4, Newton County, in a large and closely connected household.
The 1900 and 1910 census records place her among siblings Henry, John, Angie, and Charlie, along with her grandmother Harriet Blalock. From an early age, Mary Alice stood out for her literacy and education. By 1910, at just eleven years old, she was already attending school and recorded as being able to read and write—an important distinction for a Black child in rural Mississippi during that era.
Career in Education
By 1920, at the age of nineteen, Mary Alice Blalock had already begun her career as a teacher in the public schools of Newton County. Teaching was one of the few professional opportunities available to Black women at the time, but it also carried deep responsibility and influence within the community.
Her career extended for decades and became closely tied to the Lake community in Scott County. A 1961 school listing identifies Mrs. Mary Alice Jackson as a teacher at Lake School, working under Principal Hosea Brown. This record confirms her continued presence in the classroom well into the mid-twentieth century.
At the time of her death, she was remembered as “a retired teacher with more than sixty years of service.” This remarkable span reflects a lifetime dedicated to educating generations of children during a period marked by segregation, limited resources, and unequal schooling conditions.
Community Leadership and Civic Service
Mary Alice Jackson’s influence extended far beyond the classroom. She was an active and respected participant in civic life throughout Scott County.
During the late 1960s, she played a visible role in the Scott County Cancer Crusade, a major public health initiative. Newspaper accounts from 1967 and 1968 list her among the volunteers and leaders who attended kickoff meetings, organized fundraising efforts, and supported school-based participation in the campaign. Her involvement demonstrates her commitment to improving community health and mobilizing others toward a common cause.
In addition to health work, she was also involved in youth development. A newspaper photograph places her among adult leaders working to reorganize Black Girl and Boy Scout troops in Forest. This effort highlights her dedication to mentorship and her belief in providing structure, guidance, and opportunity for young people outside the classroom.
Family Life and Extended Connections
Mary Alice Blalock Jackson remained deeply connected to her extended family throughout her life. A 1974 newspaper notice described her home as a gathering place for relatives traveling from across the South and Midwest.
Among her visitors were her sister, Mrs. Angie Moffett of Laurel; her brother, Charlie Blaylock of Perry, Florida; nieces, nephews, and extended family from Jasper, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Perry, Florida. These connections reflect a family network shaped in part by migration, yet still anchored by Mary Alice’s home in Mississippi.
Her role as a hostess and matriarch reveals another dimension of her life—one centered on kinship, hospitality, and maintaining family bonds across distance.
Death and Burial
Mary Alice Blalock Jackson passed away on April 19, 1988. Her funeral was held at Concord Baptist Church, and she was laid to rest in Lawrence, Mississippi.
She was remembered in death as a devoted educator with more than sixty years of service, but her legacy reaches beyond that single description.
Legacy
Mary Alice Blalock Jackson’s life represents the enduring impact of Black women educators in the rural South. Through decades of teaching, she shaped the lives of countless students. Through her civic work, she contributed to public health efforts and community organization. Through her mentorship, she helped guide the next generation.
She was more than a teacher—she was a community pillar whose influence touched education, health, youth development, and family life.
Her story stands as a testament to quiet strength, long service, and the power of commitment to one’s community.
Resting Place
Union Chapel United Methodist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- Scott County Times, Mary Alice Blalock Jackson Obituary, Wed, Apr 27, 1988 ·Page 7
- Hattiesburg American, Mrs. Angie B. Moffett Obituary, Tue, Jul 21, 1981 ·Page 2
- The Newton Record, Angie B. Moffett Obituary, Wed, Jul 29, 1981 ·Page 8
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