Mrs. Jacqueline Ann Drayton's Obituary
God in his awesome wonder looked upon the late Eddie C. McNeil and Sarah Jean Graham on January 10, 1951 in Meridian Mississippi entrusting them to care for, educate, and rear a bouncing bubbling baby girl with the qualities of an angel. Little Miss Jackie, with a smile that could brighten any room and a look in her eyes of love, compassion and encouragement, that would later be some of her greatest qualities. Jackie was one of two children and began her journey of education at St. Joseph Catholic School, Magnolia Junior High School, and T.J. Harris High School, soon after she married her high school sweetheart, Luther Trotter, Jr. and was blessed with two sons yet never deviated from her educational journey by attending and graduating from Meridian Junior College with a Degree in Nursing. As her journey continued she and her family relocated to Houston, Texas where while being a full time wife, mother, and nurse she also graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a Masters of Nursing. As life changes would come Jackie then became a member of the United States Armed Forces where she served her country as an officer and continued her journey of education by graduating from The University of Michigan with a Masters in Psychiatric Nursing. While in the military she served as a ]st Lieutenant working at Winn Military Hospital. Love found her for the second time, and she was joined in Holy Matrimony to Thomas Glenn Slay. GOD blessed the two of them with her third son. After retiring from the military in 1989, Jackie continued her journey of education by attending and graduating from St. Leo University with a Masters in Nursing Administration while maintaining a Nursing Career, being a full time wife, a mother to three sons. She taught Nursing at Savannah Technical College, Owned and Operated Port City Personal Care Home, served as Director of Nursing (Savannah Commons), Nursing Administrator (Heritage Park), Charge Nurse (Georgia Regional Mental Hospital Adolescence Unit) and currently served as Director of Nursing (Savannah Square.) Jackie accepted Christ at an early age, being baptized at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Meridian, MS., served Christ there for many years. The strong faith of her loving mother cultivated Jackie's morals, values, and integrity which taught her to stand strong and rely on her faith in GOD. In short though she traveled extensively, but no matter where she lived or what facet of life she was walking in she continually shared the love of Christ by display-ing unselfish love and compassion towards others. Settling in the Savannah area and becoming a member of Greater Gaines Methodist Church, of Savannah Ga, she served faithfully in the choir until her health failed. Jackie walked in great courage, hope, was a constant reminder of how truly Precious life is. Despite her busy career, she still found time to travel, sing, fashionably dress, enjoy fine dining, sharing many experiences with her companion, and spending hours of time loving on/spoiling her grandson. Holidays were a special time for her, and Jackie would cook and bring her family all together in an atmosphere of love to celebrate family. Continuing her journey of education by promoting and encouraging those around her, including Malik McClain affectionately known as "MJ", Nadia Kredenych and Demetrious Kredenych whom she adopted in to her family. She encouraged them to always strive for their best in all things. Jackie leaves to cherish her loving memories: mother and best.friend, Sara Jean Walker; sons, Orlano (Beverlee) Trotter, Sr., Darryl Trotter, both of Savannah, Georgia and Kyle Slay of Columbus, South Carolina; one grandson, Orlano Trotter, Jr.; one brother, Chester (Loretta) McNeil of Meridian, Mississippi; nephew, Tony Giles of Selma, Alabama; nieces, Rechelle (Carl), Robin McNeil, both of Meridian, Mississippi; great aunt, Mrs. MarzelI Youngblood of Juliet, llinois; aunts, Margret A. Wallace, Taylor Michigan, Mary Smith, Dorothy Hudson of Me-ridian, Mississippi; uncle, Mr. Willie E. Ruffin of Taylor, Michigan; a very special friend and companion, Jessie Sykes of Savannah, Georgia; a very close and dear family member, Marisol (Cookie) Kredenvich, and a host of family and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Jacqueline?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jacqueline?
Share a story where Jacqueline's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jacqueline you’ll never forget.
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