Sherry Yvonne Jackson-Cameron

Sherry Yvonne Jackson-Cameron, 60, of Chandler and formerly of Casa Grande, died peacefully on Feb. 2, 2009 at Serenity Hospice House in Phoenix, surrounded by her family and friends.


Ms. Jackson-Cameron was born in Tyler, Texas, and followed her mother and father to Arizona in 1959. After graduating from Casa Grande Union High School in 1967 she attended Arizona State University. While attending college she started working at Mountain Bell Telephone Co. in 1967 as a listing operator. She had a fulfilling career with Mountain Bell and played a key role in the transition to Qwest Corporation as an operator services manager. She became one of the state's first African-American women to have a management position with a major Arizona corporation.

Her passion was working with children and, after retiring from the phone company, she taught briefly for the Sacaton Elementary and Mary C. O'Brien schools. She also worked for Express Scripts pharmacies as a customer service agent. She died as she lived, with courage, grace and a compassion for those around her. She never had children of her own and dedicated her life to her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents James B. "Curly" and Barbara E. Jackson. Survivors include two sisters, Sandra K. Burnett of Mesa and Marcella Brown of Casa Grande; three brothers, Michael La Keith Bonner and Bobby J. Jackson of Casa Grande and Mayor Byron Keith Jackson of Eloy; 11 nieces; and four nephews.

Visitation will be held at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel in Casa Grande on Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m., with the service at 11:30. The Rev. Grady Whatley will officiate, and the Rev. Dr. Bernard Black will give the eulogy. A graveside service will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.