Jacqueline Barber-Dixon

Jacqueline Barber-Dixon was 75 years of age. She passed away peacefully at Advocate Masonic Hospital on July 11, 2023. She was born April 3, 1948, in Livingston, Alabama to Mattie May Hatter-Barber and Isaiah Barber. She graduated from York West End High School and attended Stillman College. She later married in 1968 and had four children, David, Pamela, LaKeshia and Kerry.

In 1981, Jackie, with the support of her uncle, Frank Hatter’s wife, Isabelle and son, Henry Hatter who were visiting York, Alabama, she decided to move her family to Flint, Michigan for a better life. In Flint, the Hatter family rallied around Jackie to support her in her migration from the south to north.

Jackie was brilliant, a lifetime student and loved to learn. In Flint, she studied multiple disciplines and read EVERY book she found, in some cases multiple times. She pursued her nursing degree, took courses in accounting, psychology, and business. She loved to have in-depth, spirited conversations about politics and lectured about the importance of education.

In 1994, Jackie was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She vowed that she would beat it as she had too much living to do with her new grandson Tyler. Her daughter Keshia watched over her and took care of her during the hard times in chemotherapy. In 1996, she rang the bell on cancer and beat it. After surviving cancer, she decided it was time to write a new chapter and moved to Chicago with her daughter Pamela. In Chicago Jackie earned her bachelor’s degree in medical technology transcription and spent most of her time in later years helping to care for her grandson and 2 great grandchildren. 

Jackie always boasted that her proudest accomplishment was her children. Everything she ever worked for and every decision she made was for her children. David retired from Special Forces after more than 20 years of service in the United States Marines and Army, then earned his bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science/Professional Pilot Program. He now has his commercial pilot license. Pamela has two master’s degrees and is a Principal Enterprise Architect. LaKeshia is a Supervisor in Public Safety, Kerry (deceased) taught elementary and junior high school in her early years. At time of passing, she was a Librarian working on her PHD in English.

Jackie is survived by her 3 children [David Dixon, Pamela Dixon-Lavell and LaKeshia Washington], 4 grandchildren [Tyler Washington, Maria Dixon, Davian Dixon, Colton Lavell], 2 great grandchildren [Kairi Washington and George Washington], brother Larry Barber and his children [Greg, Derek, Shan, Kim, Jackie, Tarvous and Raven].

Family and friends are invited to Benson Family Funeral Home to reminisce, grieve, support each other, and celebrate her homegoing.

Memorial celebration immediately following at Pete’s Restaurant until 6pm at 3737 N. Western, Chicago, IL 60618

In lieu of flowers, donations to Kerry's gofundme page would be appreciated.

In Jackie’s late daughter Kerry’s honor, a gofundme page was started in 2018 to raise funds to start a non-profit called Kerry’s House. For 20+ years Jackie’s daughter Kerry suffered from bi-polar depression, schizophrenia, and multiple personality disorder.

Our dream is to one day open a home called Kerry's House to serve as a safe haven to provide young adults with temporary housing as well as psychiatric, psychological, and therapeutic counseling, life skills, love, and support.  Kerry’s House à https://gofund.me/7044a60c

A gathering of family and friends will be from 1 - 4 pm at the funeral home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jacqueline Barber-Dixon, please visit our floral store.