Teresa D. Younger-Jackson

Mrs. Teresa Darlene Younger Jackson, age 67, of Gary, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in the comfort of her home in Charleston, West Virginia.

Teresa was born on September 21, 1958, at Grace Hospital in Welch, West Virginia. She was the only daughter of the late James “Jimmy” Younger and Virginia “Bo” Younger, and from the very beginning, she carried herself with strength, grace, and a whole lot of heart.

In addition to her parents, Teresa was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frederick “Freddie” E. Jackson; her brothers James “Lenny” L. Younger, Ronald “Ronnie” E. Younger, and Kenneth “Pete” D. Younger; her aunt Belinda J. Hughes Ellis, who was more like a sister; her grandparents William “Daddy Rob” Robert Hughes and Lula “Mama Lu” Aretha McCray; her aunts Lula “PaLu” Aretha Hughes Safford, Bertha “Trick/Beaver” Hughes McCurdy, Katie Hughes Seaward Harper, Mary “Caldonia” Hughes Seaward Cook, and Margaret “Jeanie” Hughes Anthony; and her first cousins William “Keno” Roberts, Vicki “Red” McCurdy, and Gerald “Wolfman” McCurdy.

Teresa was a lifelong resident of Gary, West Virginia. She attended Gary Coaldiggers for her first year of grade school, followed by Gary Elementary School, and later graduated from Gary High School in 1977. After high school, she pursued her passion for beauty and style at the Huntington School of Beauty Culture, where she became a licensed cosmetologist—a profession that matched her love for making others feel good about themselves.

Teresa later relocated to Erie, Pennsylvania, where she married the love of her life, Frederick “Freddie” E. Jackson, in 1984. Together, they built a life rooted in love and family. In 1989, Teresa became a mother to her pride and joy, Niya, a role she embraced fully and fiercely. Teresa was a loving and devoted wife, an outstanding mother, and—without question—the greatest grandmother to her precious granddaughter, Yi’ara “YiYi” T. Grey-Mitchell.

To know Teresa was to know what real love looked like. She poured herself into her family, especially her daughter and granddaughter, and found her greatest happiness in the bond they shared. Teresa was the kind of mother who showed up every time—strong, nurturing, protective, and endlessly loving. She didn’t just raise her child; she raised her with intention, pride, and unconditional love.

Teresa worshiped faithfully and attended Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Victory Christian Center Cathedral, and Grace Fellowship throughout her life.

Her favorite pastimes included spending quality time with family, shopping for herself and others, dining out, singing and dancing to the soulful hits of her generation, and always moving to the rhythm of life. Teresa loved to cook, and through her food she gave comfort, joy, and care to everyone around her. Cooking was one of her many love languages, and it warmed her spirit just as much as it fed others.

Teresa lived a truly blessed life and leaves behind cherished memories with those who loved her deeply. She is survived by her devoted daughter Niya L. Jackson and Niya’s partner Brandon Grey-Mitchell; her beloved granddaughter Yi’ara Grey-Mitchell, all of Washington, DC; her cousins Pamala Seaward Johnson of Bronx, NY; Lisa Seaward Jones of Leander, TX; Moses “Tiger” Seaward Jr. of Brooklyn, NY; William Safford of Tangub, Philippines; Derek Hughes of Springfield, VA; Calvin “Poopie” Seaward Jr. of Bronx, NY; Clyde Ellis Jr. of Mount Pleasant, SC; Shaunte Ellis of Charleston, SC; Ceredo “Rita” Anthony Perry of Cincinnati, OH; Debra Jean of Greensboro, NC; Jerome Safford of Greensboro, NC; Dewayne “Peanut” McCurdy of Houston, TX; Bob “Bubba” McCurdy Jr. of Round Rock, TX; Danny McCurdy of Harker Heights, TX; a special cousin Joey “Mann” Gray Jr. of Charleston, WV; and a host of cousins, extended family, and dear friends.

Teresa’s legacy lives on through the love she gave, the family she nurtured, and the memories that will forever be carried in the hearts of those she touched.

Mrs. Jackson's Celebration of Life Service will be held at  2:00 PM on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Restlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel, 6605 New Hope Road in Bluewell, West Virginia.  Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM.  Services entrusted to Gregory-Page Funeral Home in Welch, West Virginia.