Mrs. Jacqueline Hickam "Jackie" Colson

Jacqueline Hickam “Jackie” Colson, 90, passed on September 12, 2024, at the Estates at Carpenters, Lakeland. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Rodney Clyde Colson, a former Hillsborough County Public School teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent, and a member and chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. Although a Lakeland native, Jackie and Rodney lived almost all their married lives in and around Plant City. She is survived by her son, Clay Colson. She attended Lakeland’s John Cox Elementary School and served as Dr. Cox’s Director of Lakeland Schools, first student assistant before graduating with honors from Lakeland High School. She graduated on Friday, began classes at the University of Florida on Monday, and later began teaching at the age of 20. That first summer at the University, she was recognized as the Dormitory #1 Table Tennis Champ, and the first female driving a motor scooter to classes and requiring a designated scooter parking spaces according to her class schedule. Jackie earned a B.S.E. and M.A. at the University of Florida, interned at Plant City High School, taught at Turkey Creek High School, and worked as the first business Education Supervisor of Hillsborough County Public Schools until her retirement. While serving as Supervisor, Business Education, Hillsborough County Public Schools, she provided in-service education for business education teachers, wrote specs and recommendations to the Board which businesses machines and furniture to be on the county-wide purchase list, wrote programs for grants covered under the Vocational Act of 1963, counseled with architects on new busies education facilities and the updating of others, recommending summer typing teachers, equalizing programs equipment in all business education departments, visiting departments observing and recommending to teachers and administrators, and sending to the Assistant Superintendent, Vocational Education, Principals and each business education teacher a month newsletter covering department visits and other pertinent information. She received the special honor of Outstanding Educator 1973 from the Academy of American Educators. She served as President of the Business Education Council, the President’s Roundtable of Hillsborough County Public Schools, the Women’s Club of Plant City, and the Trapnell and Glover PTAs; the Co-Director of the Young Married Department at Plant City’s First Baptist Church; a scorekeeper for the Plant City Little League Baseball; managed and ran her husbands two successful political county-wide campaigns for Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. She sold real estate, and helped the family manage cattle, citrus groves, and real estate rentals. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, promoting the Florida Strawberry Festival, playing tennis, traveling, and watching almost all sports with the love of her life, Rodney. While living in Walden Lake in Plant City, she played lots of doubles tennis. Carolyn Haynsworth and Jackie were undefeated at one time in the Tampa Bay West Coast League, where they each received a terrific trophy. While living her final years at the Estates at Carpenters, Lakeland, she ran the Residents Flea Market, was a member of CHERA, FLICRA, NACCRA, the Health, Diet, and the Get Acquainted Party Committees, and served as Floor B1 Hall Monitor. She remained a committed Christian and member of Plant City’s First Baptist Church until the end. Her greatest honors were having a committed relationship with God and having been a partner with Rodney all these years and sharing it all with both. To her remaining friends, she wishes you sunshine tomorrow. There will be a casual drop-by graveside visitation for Jackie and Rodney on Friday, October 25 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. immediately behind the Old Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 S County Rd 39, Plant City. Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Mrs. Jacqueline Hickam "Jackie" Colson

August 8, 1934 - September 12, 2024

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Mrs. Jacqueline Hickam "Jackie" Colson

August 8, 1934 - September 12, 2024

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