Diane Jackson

Diane Lee Orvis Jackson, 76, of Decatur, GA passed away at her residence at Holbrook of Decatur, on August 12, 2021 after battling several long-term illnesses. She was a 5-year Breast Cancer survivor. She was preceded in death by her father Versil Laverne Orvis, and mother, Eva Mary Sharpe Orvis. She is survived by her daughter Jennifer and husband Paul Bilek of Decatur, GA, Sister, Stephany “Bunny” DiPersico of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Niece Dawn and husband Joseph Mattei of Lake Worth Beach, FL, Nephew Dale and wife Mary DiPersico of Wellington, FL, Nephew Daniel and wife Laura DiPersico of Jupiter, FL, Great-Nieces Stacy Mattei, Courtney DiPersico, Catherine DiPersico, and Grand-Nephew Christopher Mattei

Diane was born in Buffalo, NY on November 13, 1944 to parents Versil Laverne Orvis of Petosky, MI and Eva Mary Sharpe Orvis of Oakville, Ontario, Canada. She enjoyed time visiting her large family in Canada, her mother was the second-youngest of 16 children, and ice skating with her dad at the local rink. She attended Akron Elementary, and High School in NY from 1958-1959, and graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1962 after moving to Florida with her parents.

In 1962, she began her career in the medical field as a medical secretary and assistant to Raymond R. Preefer, M.D. of West Palm Beach until 1966.

A mutual friend arranged a blind-date with (the late) Richard Alton Jackson of West Palm Beach, FL, the two married in July of 1966 at Northwood Baptist Church. She then began work as a medical secretary and assistant to William Taylor, M.D. and Frank A. Stuart, M.D. in Fort Lauderdale, FL until 1969. In 1970, her daughter Jennifer was born. The couple moved to Atlanta, GA in 1974. The pair divorced in 1979, but remained good friends until his passing in 2004.

She did work at her husband’s and brother-in-law’s new business JARCO Machine in Tucker, GA during the mid-70’s. Diane then owned and operated a hand-made pottery shop “Pot-Pourri” in Old Stone Mountain, GA. In 1979 she returned to work at the Emory Clinic working as medical secretary for Fred M.S. McConnel, M.D. and James Rogers, M.D. In 1989 she switched gears at Emory Clinic and began

work as a radiology transcriptionist and managed the department until 1998 when she left Emory and transitioned to remote medical transcription work with Med Quist LTD in Atlanta. She retired after 20+ years in 2002.

She resided in Tucker, GA from 1974 through 1977, Lilburn, GA from 1977 to 2009, and Decatur from 2009 until 2021.

Diane was an avid reader with a wry sense of humor, and Bridge Master as a member of the American Contract Bridge Association. She enjoyed playing duplicate bridge over the years with her friends. She had many other creative pursuits including knitting, quilting, cross-stitching, decoupaging, rose gardening, and even dabbled in stained glass. She loved to collect Portmeirion dishes and serving pieces which she often used when she hosted Thanksgiving dinners. She also loved 70’s music, horror movies, true crime, and cheering on her beloved Atlanta Falcons. She dearly loved her many cats. Despite suffering numerous health challenges for most of her life, she was able to persevere and enjoy her family and friends and her many hobbies and interests throughout the years. She was very proud of her career accomplishments, her daughter, and her travels to England with her daughter, and with her sister Stephany to New England.

Diane’s family would like to thank all those who showed such love and care for her at Holbrook of Decatur during the past year, the aides of Trinity Healthcare, and her many caring doctors, most especially Phyllis Tong, M.D., and Todd Antin, M.D.

Donations in Diane’s memory may be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI.org/Donate), or to the Atlanta Humane Society.

Diane’s cremains will be taken to West Palm Beach, FL for a Celebration of Life Memorial and inurnment at a later date.