Merlene Cathleen Richardson Jackson, age 73 of Leslie, Arkansas died Sunday, January 23, 2022 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Leslie, Arkansas on August 17, 1948 to Charles and Milladean Richardson. She was a good, kind-hearted person who enjoyed the simple life. She wanted to be happy and surrounded by the people she loved. Her family was her whole life. She loved them dearly and enjoyed their visits more than anything.

As a teenager, she quit high school and unselfishly went to work to help her family. She proudly earned her GED years later. She always worked hard and retired after 19 years with the National Park Service. She loved working at the Buffalo National River and made many friends along the way.

Survivors include her partner and best friend, Bill Davis; her fur baby, Molly; children, Candace Boere (John) of Bradford, Farrell Jackson (Kim) of Marshall, Kathy House (Johnny) of Cozahome and Shawnetta Tyler (Billy) of Marshall; grandchildren, Cheyanne Pitcock (Timothy) of Tulsa, OK, Kelly McClung of Marshall, Tyler McClung of Bradford, Kenny McClung of Tulsa, OK, Ty and Grace Jackson of Flippin, Jamie House of Mtn. Home, Sierra House of Cozahome, Sky Davis of Arnold, IL and Destiny Davis of Marshall; great-grandchildren, Xander Anderson of Marshall and Genesis and Gemini Pitcock of Tulsa, OK; sisters, Dorothy Jackson of Oxley and Louise Horton (Jerry) of Marshall; brothers, Glenn Richardson (Deanna) of Sherwood, Clyde Richardson of Leslie and Cecil Richardson of Bee Branch; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends whom she loved dearly. Graveside services for her were 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Kuykendall Cemetery near Oxley with Bro. Tommy Jolly officiating. Pallbearers will be Kenny McClung, Tyler McClung, Ty Jackson, John Boere, Jamie House and Johnny House.