Mrs. Eliza Christine Jackson

Eliza Christine Jackson was born November 2, 1934 to Levi Jackson and Irma Threatt Jackson, in Eufala, Alabama. She lived with her family of sharecroppers in Alabama until she was sixteen and married to Lester Payton, Sr. They moved to Central Florida and worked in the citrus industry as fruit pickers and worked alternately in New York during the apple harvest. Five years later, Christine was alone in Florida and would labor in domestic servitude for the next 30 years. She married three more times and all could be summed up by her comments “I can do bad(ly) all by myself”. She emphatically stated she would not tolerate abuse of any kind and would often offer these sentiments to others in her life. Her life was simple, much like her every day toil. She worked and she cared for her family. A family that extended beyond the boundaries of her dwelling. She cared about people and where she saw suffering she wanted to rectify it. This was especially true for the children. Christine loved children and would in no way tolerate their mistreatment. She retired from work following a cardiac incident. At this point, she began caring for children. Over the next thirty years, she cared for kids, counseled parents, fed the poor, sheltered the homeless, nurtured the sick and visited the imprisoned. The children were her passion. She was the second mom for many kids and the principal mom for others, caring for many without compensation. Hence, she was called Madea out of respect and love. Christine was a great provider for her family. She cared for sick family members and her home was always open to family both near and afar. If you needed something, she would give it to you or help you get it. She truly cared for others as she did for her immediate family and herself. Often you could not discern the difference. During this period, she gave her life back to God. She tried several churches, but was always committed to serving the Lord. Before her injury and illness which curtailed her driving, she was an active member of the Orlando Community Baptist Church and a member of the choir. She praised the church for its community outreach and for the opportunity to worship with family and friends. Before her transition, she asked that her celebration of life be kept simple, even as we write about her. She said the most important things in her life was serving God, taking care of her children and helping others. Her only regret, she said, was that she could not give more. She gave all she had. Christine leaves to cherish precious memories to: her four children, Jackie Gibson, Betty Payton and Lester Payton, Jr. and wife, Cristina Payton; Goddaughter, Timesha Terry-Jackson; her siblings: Annie Lee Jackson, Willie Mae Williams, Cherrie Jackson, Jerry Jackson, Lula Mae Jackson and Eric Storey; eight grandchildren, Lester Payton III, Rod Payton, Emanuel Payton, Moses Payton, Christian Payton, Rachel Payton, Valesicia Gibson, and Keishia Horn; eleven great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives who with affection and love know her as Madea.

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Mrs. Eliza Christine Jackson

November 2, 1934 - June 6, 2018