Obituary of Jackie Talbert

Jackie Talbert, born Jackie Marie Kesterson in Dothan, AL on November 25, 1953, was called home by the Lord on the day of Thanksgiving, November 25, 2021, the day of her birth. She was 68. Jackie passed away in her home in the loving care of her mother, Marie Kesterson, and in the arms of her son, Mark Talbert. She would not want us to focus on the hard times and her private battles with the evils of cancer because she was a consummate optimist. She always kept her focus on the sunny side of life!

 

Jackie dedicated her life to her family, her work, and caring for animals who needed homes and a protector. She graduated from Lower Richland High School, and received a scholarship to Midlands Technical College, where she graduated with a degree in Secretarial Science. She received a Bachelor's Degree later in life, one of her proudest accomplishments. She began her career in Vital Statistics in South Carolina, and later became a Docket Technician with the US Attorney’s Office in Columbia, where she retired. She returned to the US Attorneys Office as a contractor because she loved the good work and loved her co-workers like family. Even after she became ill, it was always her wish to someday return to the work that she loved.

 

Growing up, her work taught her lessons in being a good provider, and provide she did. She lived the majority of her life in Columbia with her mother and son. Her son received the education he desired, and was able to live the life he sought. She was always there in his times of need. The Lord brought him home in what was to be her greatest time of need.  

 

She now rests in the Lord’s arms and her father’s arms, Jack Kesterson, who also passed from his own battle with cancer. She is also enjoying her new life with her sister-in-law, Josephine Kesterson, who transitioned to heaven last year, from her own battle with cancer. Together, they will watch over their loved ones who remain like her brother, Johnny Kesterson, and niece, Amber Kesterson.

 

As her joyful spirit will continue to lift her family during this time of grief, we will do our best to honor her memory with family and friends. Her life will be honored on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 2:00pm at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC. The service at the funeral home is for immediate family and close family friends, but will be available for public viewing via TribuCast by clicking here or accessing the following link at the time of the service:  https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3325831944.

 

If you wish to send support, remembrances, or flowers for her memorial service, please send them to 3608 Baywater Drive, Columbia SC 29209. If you would like to join us for the in-person service, please email mark.talbert01@gmail.com. No calls, please.

 

"My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."

John 10:27-29