Jackie Rae Vernon
Jackie Vernon was born Jacqueline Rae Partin at the Bethesda Maternity Hospital in Cincinnati, OH to parents John (Jack) and Helen Partin, who owned and operated “Jack’s Cafe” in Barbourville, KY, the best restaurant in Knox County. Jackie was a cheerleader and a popular student at Barbourville High School. Her grandfather, Richard Crocket Partin, was County Sheriff, so her high school dates received advance scrutiny.
After attending the University of Kentucky, Jackie met Herbert (Herb) Vernon at the corporate office when she worked as Assistant to the Corporate Attorney at Cummins Engine Company in Columbus IN. They were married August 2,1959, in the First Christian Church of Columbus.
In 1969, the Vernons moved with their three young daughters to Bellevue, where Herb started a new phase of his career at Cummins Northwest Diesel, and Jackie quickly connected with First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue. Surprise son John came in 1978, as Jackie remained fully engaged in caring for her family, raising four children, supporting their activities, and prioritizing worship, fellowship, Bible study, and serving. She loved the group of young women whom she discipled throughout their high school years. She also provided long-term, essential care to two elderly women. Her beautiful soprano voice and joyful face complemented the ministry of the choir for many years, and worshiping God through music was a highlight in her life. In 1988 she became an official staff member at BelPres as membership secretary. She was then recruited and chosen to be the Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor, serving under Dr. Dick Leon, interim pastor Dr. Walter Ray, and continuing 5 more years in support of Dr. Scott Dudley before retiring.
Jackie always had a strong commitment to family and an unwavering Christian faith. She was so proud of her kids, sons-in-law, and daughter-in-law, and 13 grandchildren. Her face would beam with pride as she loved to attend as many games, events, and graduations as possible. Jackie’s southern hospitality was evident in her cooking and baking skills (especially her famous pies) and she was always a gracious hostess for all dinner events and holidays. She was an incredible prayer warrior for her family and friends as evidenced by the many journals kept over the years of prayer requests for so many. The sweetest answer to prayer, other than the faith of her children and grandchildren, was when Herb responded to the grace of Jesus in midlife, which brought greater peace and oneness in their marriage, and stronger bonds of love with their friends. Where in the early years, Jackie led her children in the faith alone, in the later years, Herb tenderly encouraged Jackie through God’s Word, even as she lost her memories.
Herb and Jackie moved to Emerald Heights, a retirement community in 2015. The last two years of Jackie’s life were lived in Wildflower Point, the memory care wing of the Corwin Center on the Emerald Heights campus. The family is so grateful to the staff in Wildflower Point for the incredible care and support of Jackie and her family as she battled Alzheimer’s, especially her last days there when we all needed their care and compassion.
Jackie is survived by her husband, Herb Vernon, her brother John (Teresa) G. Partin II, children Kim (David) Rendle, Lori (Mike) Uhl, Tara (Brent) Locknane, John (Erin) Vernon, grandchildren Robbie, Anne, Keely and Barrett Rendle, Emily (Q) Rothing, Christina (Ben) Focht, Alyssa Uhl, Payton (Jeff) Adams, Tessa (KC) Carroll, Drew Locknane, and Jack, Maddie and Elise Vernon. And her brand-new great-granddaughter Rho Michele Rothing, born October 15th.
Jackie’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 13th at 1:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue. The address is 1717 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004.
The live-stream of the service will be available starting at 1:00 PM PST on November 13, 2021:
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