Obituary of Jacqueline Hankerson

Jacqueline Johnson was born on November 13, 1951 at Boston City Hospital in Massachusetts; to James E Johnson Sr. and Margaret Harvin Johnson (both deceased).   Our beloved sister Jacqui lost her battle on February 5, 2018 at Brigham’s and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She was the fifth child of 12 siblings born to James and Margaret.  While growing up, Jacqui attend Sunday school and church services with her family at the United Emmanuel Holiness Church of the Apostolic Faith Inc. in Roxbury, Until the Johnson and Hankerson family joined a Voice in the Wilderness Ministries, under the direction of Pastor Anthony Medford and Sister Grace Medford.  She attended the Boston Public School system and graduated from Roslindale High School in 1970.

 She was a very hard working teenager and adult.  She started working early during junior high and High school.  She loved to be able to afford the things she liked, and pay with her own money. 

Jacqui worked at the State Lab in Jamaica Plain for 30 plus years, she was a Manager and Supervisor in the bacteriology department until her retirement in December 2016.

Jacqui had two children Elena born September 25, 1981 and Andre born May 10, 1985.  She resided in a complex in Jamaica Plain on Forest Hill Street in the 1990’s with her children and her Aunt Frances.  This was about the time, Aunt Frances and my mother arranged a dinner to introduced Jacqui to Oswald Hankerson who Aunt Francis worked with.  This was in 1986, but to let Jacqui tell it this was the beginning of her life with Oswald.  

On August 6, 1988 Jacqui married Oswald Hankerson in a wedding held at her father’s home in Dorchester.  The reunion brought about a new chapter in her life, and Hank, became the father of Elena and Andre that day.  The family took many trips down to Florida where Hank’s family lived.  Jacqui was received with open hearts and arms.  She was supportive of everyone, had an opinion about everything, but we listened and mostly agreed.  The family moved to Canterbury Street in Roslindale in 1991 where they reside today.  Although we had such a large family clan, she would accept others into the family.  She was open, giving and passionate about her views on life, however what she was really passionate about was singing.

Jacqui enjoyed singing and dancing with her siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins when ever the opportunity was there, so was she, She was one who always wanted to hold the microphone during the time we would entertain family and friends.  She loved to harmonize with her siblings, friends and cousins, to any song.  If she had a favorite artist or song, it would be hard to say what song that would be; no song was off limits to her talent.  We thought maybe she should have been born with a mic in her hand. It didn’t matter if she didn’t have a mic she would use anything available hair brush, comb, wooden stick.  We made sure when events where happening there was at least 3 microphones available.

Jacqui leaves behind: her husband Oswald Hankerson of 30 years of Roslindale; daughter Elena and Fiancée Bradley Durkee of Vermont and son Andre; grandson Andre Jr. and Daughter-in-law Timeka Hankerson of Roslindale and Hyde Park; granddaughter Shoshana Chester (Columbus, GA)

 Daughter Valerie Hankerson, Grandchildren Justin, Jaida Hankerson, Great Grandchildren Jaliyah and Jamari Hankerson (Fort Lauderdale, FL). Aunt Gussie Snuggs and family of Dedham and Canton; Three sisters Cynthia Johnson (Hyde Park) Life Partner Wayne Martin, family (Jeannine, great niece Juliana and great nephew Jerimiah); Edna and John Perkins (Detroit Michigan) Frances Hargove (Baltimore MD.) five brothers, Thomas Johnson (Cambridge); Lesley Johnson (Roslindale) and David Johnson (Randolph)

David & Wayne Jordan and Step-mother Ruthie Jordan Johnson.

Nieces, nephews & Sister-in-laws

Leah Berryhill & Mark Berryhill of Roslindale and Children

Sonya Murphy of Quincy & daughter

Robert Murphy, of Roslindale & Children

Wayne Murphy of Pittsburgh & Children

Ronald Murphy, Boston

 Sister-in-law Diane Cotton Johnson of Georgia

Jeron Cotton, Boston & children of Georgia

Sister-in-law Patricia Mitchell of Brookline

Christopher Eric & Keysha Mitchell and Children of Bridgewater

Stephen & Beatrice Mitchell and Children of Avon

Karis Akins of Randolph

Mona Ford Walker of Dorchester

Cousins

Dorothy Allen of Norwood

Edith (Demoli) Grant, of Mattapan

Christalee Johnson, of Mattapan

Damon, Tiana, Isaiah and Genevieve Boykin

A multitude of cousins, aunts and uncles around the country

Jacqui will be solely missed by family and friends she has come to love and spend time with while on this earth.