A Time to Be Born

On a cold Boxing Day, December 26th, 1957, Jacqueline Deborah came, no doubt, dancing to the pulsating sounds of Junkanoo! Her proud parents Zacharius Fowler & Joycelyn Drucilla Thompson (deceased), though struggling, was so happy to see their baby girl! Jackie, as she was affectionately called by all, was always a very humble and mannerly child, always the perfect older sister to her younger siblings Angie (deceased), and twins Joseph (deceased) and Phillip. Jackie loved her family dearly and would do ALMOST anything for them.

A Time of Development

Jackie attended Highbury High now known as R.M. Bailey Senior High School, where there, Jackie was a very keen and articulate student. She always had a love for English Language and Literature, and a passion for dancing and music. This was evident in the many albums she collected over time, especially Michael Jackson's, who was her then idol". Jackie would sing and dance to every M.J. song and had his moves "down packed". Having graduated from R.M. Bailey with her diploma and top honors, Jackie had her heights set on being a teacher. Her older sister Jenny (deceased), recognizing the gift within her, and wanting to help their mother who had three younger siblings to raise, took Jackie under her wing and afforded her the opportunity to attend college at the College of the Bahamas to further her education. There she received her Associate Degree along with a Teacher's Certificate, moving onto the University of West Indies, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree, then went even further to gain her Master's Degree from the University of Miami. Jackie was a Language Arts public school teacher for the past 32 years and a member of the H.O. Nash School where she served on the School Board, Liturgical Dance Coordinator and Chief Facilitator of the Student Christian Movement (SCM). She has also worked with the National examination board for a number of years.

A Time for Love

Jackie was always a very focused young woman, however, in 1979, while visiting with a friend, her focus shifted as she was attracted to a sweet talking young man by the name of Stephen "Stan-Up" Allen. The courtship was swift as they fell in love and married in 1979. Soon thereafter, they were blessed with two kids, Amy and Stevie……in that order. Jackie adored her kids, she

was always so proud of them! Later her son Stephen married Laretta and they blessed her with two adorable granddaughters who were so precious to her, she loved them so much!

A Time for Re-birth

Jackie accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour while in the tenth grade, during an SCM meeting at R.M. Bailey. Like a typical teenager, because she had no mentoring or spiritual guidance at the time, she backslid. However, she never led a wild or promiscuous life, she was one of those who "followed Christ afar off". Then, in March of 1985, Jackie "found herself" back to The Lord, and has been running for Jesus ever since. She loved the Lord with every fiber of her being. Her favorite color was red, as she always said, it reminded her of the Blood of Jesus and her favorite scripture was Psalm 51, as she always sought to be washed clean daily! Jackie was a very active member of The Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries for more than 30 years. She served in many capacities including Deacon, Minister, Sunday school teacher, Missionettes sponsor, Secretary to church board, Women's Ministry President, Women's Ministry Secretary, and Dance Team Leader. When describing Minister Jackie, persons would always say she was humble, sincere, genuine, quiet, reserved, observant, committed, loyal, confidential, compassionate, dependable, kind-hearted, a workaholic, but ALWAYS knew how to have fun and enjoy life! She LOVED to laugh!!!!!!

A Time to Die

"I feel Seasons in the air….and I feel Blessings everywhere….those seeds that you've sewn….you're gonna come into your own…..Seasons….walk into your Season!" Those were the words to the song that Jackie ministered in dance for the last time on Saturday, February 7th, 2015. She finished her dance, sat down and her daughter Amy noticed that she was unresponsive. She was rushed to the hospital, however after giving her Lord her ALL and, hearing Him say…."It's your time….the wait is over", she DANCED into her season. Jackie will be GREATLY missed by sooo many, but her purpose here on earth was done. She died empty!