Ouita Joy Jackson

Ouita Joy Jackson passed peacefully from this life on August 12, 2024 at the age of 91. Ouita (pronounced WEE-tah) is survived by four children; Alan Potocki, Daniel Potocki, Janine Santmyer (Potocki), Barry Jackson, and three stepdaughters; Shirley Sparagana (Jackson), Sandra Jackson, and Sherry Martin (Jackson). Ouita was a cherished mother-in-law to James Santmyer, Deborah Jackson and the late Pauline Potocki. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; Jason Potocki, Nicholas Potocki, Austin Potocki, Stephen Santmyer, Phillip Santmyer, Ashley Shaeffer (Jackson), Abigail Jackson, Christiana Craner (Jackson), Benjamin Jackson, Daniel Jackson, Audra Sparagana, Matthew Martin, and many great grandchildren.

Ouita was preceded in death by her husband, George Jackson, daughter, Lisa Brown (Potocki), and brother Charles “Sonny” Powers.

Born Ouita Joy Miersch on May 6, 1933 in Memphis, Tennessee to Peter and Eva Miersch, Ouita and her family moved to Baltimore where she graduated from Eastern High School in 1951. Throughout her life, she had various jobs, including working for the Curtis Bay Ordnance Depot. She started her own business, College Data Services, where she performed data entry for various clients. After her kids were out of the house, she worked part time doing inventory for RGIS.

Ouita was a fiercely independent woman of many interests. She loved travelling and took many bus trips with her husband George, then with her daughter Lisa. Her favorite was the once in a lifetime trip she took to Israel. She was an excellent cook, giving Colonel Sanders a run for his money with her fried chicken. She made the strongest sweet tea around, usually with 11 tea bags soaking in a brown-stained pitcher. She was active with the senior center and attended water aerobics classes at the Community College of Baltimore County. She was a 50 year fan of the soap opera, “The Young and the Restless,” watching every episode from the beginning. She even tried her hand at art, painting a portrait of her stepfather.

Being a true Marylander, Ouita loved steamed crabs, Ocean City, and the Orioles, rarely missing a game, whether in person or on TV.

Ouita was an active member of Emory United Methodist Church in Ellicott City for many decades. She loved her Bible study group and looked forward to going out to eat with them on Sundays after church.

Ouita was a one-of-a-kind person who will be deeply missed. All who knew her will remember many stories about her that will bring a smile to their faces. We say not “goodbye,” but “so long for now” to Ouita Joy Jackson.

There will be a visitation time at Emory United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 17th at 10am. The funeral service will begin at 11am. Interment will follow in Good Shepherd Cemetery.