Irene Florence Jackson Utica Irene Florence Jackson, 80, of Utica, passed away in the company of family Wednesday, May 11, 2011. She succumbed to a long and courageous battle with diabetes. She was born April 30, 1931, in Dover, DE, daughter and ninth child of twelve children born to the late Fletcher and Marie Baynard, who were farmers. Her father was a veteran of WW I. She attended local schools in Dover and was imbued with the spirit of hard work and sacrifice. The strength of character and perseverance her father instilled in her would be the foundation upon which she lived her life and built her family. Irene arrived in Utica with three children from her first marriage to Phillip W. Benson, Sr. Her family increased by five children after her second marriage to Raymond L. Jackson, Sr. These eight children were the light of her life. Irene was a kind and gentle woman who possessed amazing grace and intellect, a humanitarian spirit who lived a Christian life and never turned away a person in-need. Irene spent her youth employed in various capacities. She worked as a domestic, home-health aide, eventually working at Dunlop Tire for two decades before retiring. After retiring, she became a foster mother, in which capacity, she touch many lives. Irene's spiritual nature led her to various religious congregations. The Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church was her spiritual home for the past three decades. Irene was awarded the status title of Church Mother for her dedication to the church and its mission, a title she held in high regard. She is survived by her children, Philip W. Benson, Jr. (Linda), Bruce E. Benson (Fannie), Charles A. Benson (Mary), Rosalind Jackson (Winston), Raymond L. Jackson, Jr. (Diane), Robert Jackson (Betty), Roxanne Testamark (Andre) and James Jackson (Georgette); a sister, Myrtle Waters, of Brooklyn, NY; brothers, Ralph, Robert and Raymond Baynard, all of Dover, DE; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews both near and far. She was predeceased by sisters, Rita, Ruth and Agnes, and brothers, Walter, Fletcher and Clifford. The family extends special thanks to the 5th floor staff at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center for their care and concern provided to our mother while there. Friends may call on Saturday, May 14, 2011, from 11:00 a.m. until the 1:00 p.m. funeral service at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, 1108 Court Street, Utica. Arrangements by T. Revels-Gibson Funeral Service. Irene Jackson