Jacquelyn Yvette Belton, daughter of Johnnie and Shirley Belton, was born on August 13, 1978 in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this life on May 29, 2009.
Jacquelyn (who was affectionately known as Jackie) received her education in the Baltimore City Public Schools. She graduated from Carver Vocational Technical High School in 1996. She briefly attended Baltimore City Community College in 1997.
Jackie was a family woman who treasured every moment spent with her family. It's been obvious by the special bond she shared with her father Johnnie who preceded her in death on March 29, 2007. Inseparable the two of them were. You could find them anywhere between Baltimore and South Carolina. You could be sure that they were never far away from each other physically or on the phone. A most beautiful example of unconditional love they shared was truly something to behold.
Jackie had a beautiful relationship with her mother Shirley who was her biggest advocate when it came to her health and anything related to her day to day everything. On the phone several times a day laughing or crying, they shared it all. Whether it was good news or bad she knew "Mommy" could handle it and that soon it would all be worked out. She would laugh and say, "They don't me to get Big Belton on the phone." She was right.
Jackie had a very special relationship with her sisters Yolanda and Sherry. The three of them have been extremely close throughout their childhood into adults. You may wonder sometimes who was the oldest but you were never confused about who the baby sister was. They spoke everyday and you could always hear Jackie say, "You're not the boss of me." Everybody knew that a sure way to get Yolanda or Sherry going was to upset Jackie because they were sure it wasn't Jackie's fault.
Jackie was a devoted and doting aunt to her nieces and nephews. She was always available to them for whatever they needed. The memories they share are too numerous to mention. It could be she and Michael quoting movie clips endlessly back and forth for hours alughing at things only they understood or she, Jada and Jonae' going to Red Lobster for king crab legs after all day at Walmart and Best Buy to see what's new on DVD. Asim, who was also her godson, watching movies and drawing pictures of her so she could laugh hilariously at his interpretation how he'd draw her features. It was sure they all had their special part of Aunt Jackie.
Jackie grew up attending Bethel A.M.E. Church. She later joined New Psalmist Baptist Church where she gave her life to Christ in 2004.
Jackie started her career in the Beauty Industry as a receptionist at Flirtacious Hair Salon in 1995. She had several other jobs until she became the receptionist at Beautiful Sista's Hair Salon where she worked with her two sisters Yolanda and Sherry in 2000 until the time of her passing. If you were late Jackie would call and check on you. If you were ill she would keep up on your progress, and if she knew you were doing something you're not supposed to she would remind you of the consequences of your actions. She would always watch out for her Beautiful Sista's smiling through the pain and agony she dealt with daily in her struggle to have a little normalcy in a life filled with illness. She taught many people to be grateful for each day and to appreciate the little things without complaint.
Jackie enjoyed watching movies, listening to music, cooking, dancing, spending time with family and watching Martin. One of her favorite pastimes was Girl's Night Out with her Beautiful Sista's. You could always expect Jackie to show up with a special recipe or two. Laughing and joking, poking fun at each other's most embarrassing moments and bonding over good food and fun had clearly become one of her favorite times of the month.
Jackie made friends everywhere but she was truly selective about who her closest friends were. She kept her childhood friends throughout her life. Everybody knew that Tasha Criscoe (Little Tasha) and Jackie were instant friends from infancy until this day. She and Tasha Felder (Big Tasha) have been together since Kindergarten. Kia Palm, one of her close friends also, who shared endless hours of laughter and tears over the years. Anthony Wagstaff, her BFF, words could never describe the depths of their relationship.
Jackie and her godmother Evelyn Wright (Pumpkin) shared endless years of love and adoration between the two of them.
Jackie had two cousins she had an especially close relationship with- Angela Belton and Sherris Mundell who over the years one was her childhood partner in crime and the other was her adult confidant and travel partner. Rhonda Owens-Smith who became her confidant about her fears and challenges about her health was her champion on how not to allow your limitations to limit you in living a full life.
Jackie had eight uncles, all who were special to her. Uncle Timmy, her favorite who looked just like Daddy, took over the almost-daily phone calls that Daddy would make. The endless hours of reminiscent memories of back when Daddy was here. Uncle Timmy always took the time to check on her and Mommy, and she always said how she loved him for that. Aunt Margaret was never too busy to take her to doctor's appointments. No matter what the time, she always had the time.
Jackie would want us to mention everyone who was special to her although they're too numerous to mention like Aunt Dianne, Ms. Biggers, Tracey F., Laverne, Karma, Dina, Donnetta, Dana, Chalise, Daniel, Ms. Rosetta, Uncle Ricky, Capricia, Delois, Shaneera, Aerian, Pat, Maty, Sultana, Kedra, Ms. Joe, Dusty, Ms. Val, Mazi (I like Mazi), Nat Crews, Nat Moore, Lauren, Pam, Nat Ward, Tracey H., Tracey C., Tiffany, Della, Cousin Pooh, Thavia, Lyndsai, Nikky, Sis. Anita, Lois, Deanie, Diana G., Ms. Goldie, Pauline, Bingham and all her other Beautiful Sista's and friends.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her mother, Shirley Belton, two sisters, Yolanda and Sherry Scipio, two brothers-in-law, Robert Scipio and Kim DeGross, seven uncles, Steven Glasco, Ephraim Belton, Timothy Belton, Reginald Belton, Bernard Belton, Shawn Belton and Richard Smith, eight aunts, Helenstine, Nancy, Margie, Amira, Elva, Helen, Marsha Lee, and Diane Cox, two nephews, Michael Stinnett and Asim Scipio, two nieces, Shirley Jada Hudson and Jonae' DeGross, two godchildren, Elijah and Paige, and a host of other relatives and friends.