Valerie Ann Jackson

Valerie Ann Reed Jackson, 72, of Odessa, left this world on December 5, 2025, after a long health battle recovering from kidney cancer. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at home.

Valerie was born on March 15, 1953 in San Angelo, Texas as the youngest daughter to Zackie Thomas Reed, Jr. and Dorothy Marie Trantham Reed. She grew up full of life and energy, looking up to her older sister Glenda and absolutely adoring her big brother Tommy. The family moved to Odessa when Valerie was in third grade, and she resided in Odessa throughout her life. She was happy to live near her cousins and loved them like siblings. She began high school at Ector High School, but transferred to Odessa High School her sophomore year. She met and kept many wonderful friends for life from her school days. She also met the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Mitch. Valerie graduated OHS in 1971 and entered the workforce. She was employed at Furr’s Supermarket and later Perry Gas Company.

Valerie married Mitchell Lane Jackson on December 15, 1973 at Grace Baptist Church in Odessa. They loved each other faithfully for almost 52 years. Their marriage was evidence of committed love, times of laughter and sadness, forgiveness, and taking turns caring for each other. As a couple, they loved to spend time with friends and family. They treasured all their get-togethers playing games and listening to music, having cookouts, and taking trips to the lake. Valerie was an excellent fisherman, and could bait a hook better than most.

The couple had three children. Valerie was an amazing mother, and was able to stay home full time with them until the kids became school age. She loved her children fiercely, showering them with “sugars,” prayers, and love. She read many books, sang silly songs, and was always ready to get in the floor with them to play with their toys or go dig in the dirt outside. She returned to the workforce in 1991, working at H&S Valve until her retirement. She loved her work family and had wonderful memories of her time there. Her colleagues all loved her and supported her through challenging times, especially during her battle with and victory over uterine cancer in 2000.

As her kids got older, Valerie was their wise confidant and relentless cheerleader, always forgiving and ever ready to be their first help. She was a devoted and supportive mother-in-law, loving her kids’ spouses like her own children. But her favorite role came later in life as grandchildren were born and she became “NeeNee.” She adored each of her grandkids and was the happiest when she was spending time with them. Valerie was loved by many, due in great part to the love she showed others. She loved the Lord and served Him with all she had. That love shone brightly and overflowed to the world around her. She had a beautiful smile, contagious laugh, and a caretaker’s heart. While we deeply grieve her loss, we have hope we will see her again in Heaven.

Valerie is preceded in death by her parents, sister Glenda Stewart, niece Misty Dawn, brothers-in-law Monte Jackson and Matt Jackson, and best friend Susan Harrison Jones.

Valerie is survived by her husband Mitchell; two daughters, Raynie Brooke Gibbs and husband Ryan of Levelland, Texas, and Lacie Layne Freeman of Odessa; son, Joseph Mitchell Jackson and wife Lissi of Odessa; brother “Tommy” Zackie Thomas Reed, III and wife Mary of Knox City, Texas; and eight grandchildren Dylan Mitchell, Gabriel Thomas, Rhiannon Brooke, Graham Ryan, Grayson Owen, Jethro Lane, Jericho Wayne, and Jrue Mark. She is also survived by aunts and uncles, many loving cousins, several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many precious friends.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Sunny Mahal of Lubbock and his nurses and staff who took such good care of Valerie this last year during her kidney cancer and recovery journey.

Memorials may be made to the West Texas Cancer Center.