Mrs. Julia Bell Stephens Jackson

Julia Bell Stephens Jackson, affectionately known as “Julia Bell”, was born on July 22, 1942, in Browns Summit NC, the third child of the late Reverend Clyde Stephens and the late Betty Lee Stephens in which she lived 81 glorious years, departed this life on January 25, 2024, in Durham NC.  She graduated from Browns Summit High in 1962 and soon after decided that she did not want to work in the tobacco fields anymore, so she moved to Jersey City NJ where she resided for a short period of time before moving to Los Angeles CA to pursue a singing career. There she lived with her uncle Willie Thompson for a short period before moving in with her cousin Waddell Stephens. While on this journey, she was introduced to Lester Jackson whom she married and was blessed with five wonderful children to whom she was a phenomenal mother.

Being rooted in her faith while in California, Julia Bell was the First Lady of the Non-Denominational Jesus Church where she also served as the Sunday school teacher and choir director for many years.  After returning to Greensboro, she joined the Locust Grove Baptist Church where she enjoyed singing in the Gospel Choir and participating in the Christmas programs at Locust Grove and singing “Silent Night” for several years. While in Greensboro she had various employment opportunities which included housekeeping at Forum VI and Replacement Ltd. In addition to her passion for singing, drawing, painting, and baking cakes, she also loved wearing her makeup and jewelry (not a lot, just enough to be fabulous), crocheting (which she would crochet just about anything) and traveling.  In 2010, she made the decision to move to Fresno CA to spend time with some of her children and grandchildren because she loved them dearly and wanted to spend quality time with them all, to which she abundantly exceeded because family was her top priority. 

In addition to her parents, Julia Bell is proceeded in death by her husband the late Bishop Lester Jackson, her two brothers Clyde Stephens Jr. (Bruh), John Stephens (Tony), and three sisters Catherine Stephens, Christine Stephens, and Helene Seegars.

She leaves loving memories to be cherished by her five exceptional children, Donna Farkas (Gerald) of Durham NC; Tara Moore (Darnell) of National Harbor MD; Ronald Jackson (Diana) of Fresno CA; Karonda Jackson of Fresno CA; and Jeremy Jackson of Fresno CA; Seven loving siblings Emma Lester of Reidsville NC, Barbara Stephens Staley of Brooksville FL, Sylvia Stephens of Greensboro, Carolyn Stephens of Greensboro, Thelma Headen of Greensboro, William Howard Stephens of Greensboro, and Herman Bobby Stephens of Greensboro; son-in-law Tomas Farkas of Durham NC and goddaughters Marshelle Evans and Amara Roberts both of Fresno CA. She leaves behind fourteen amazing grandchildren and seven adorable great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Although we cannot name them all, Julia Bell was loved by everyone she met because she was a “people person” and met no strangers, and those memories will always be forever cherished.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude for the many deeds of kindness shown during this time of sorrow.

Cards can be sent to the following location: 1310 Morning Glory Ave Durham NC 27703.

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