VJ and Ramona Jackson
V.J. and Ramona Jackson December 2012 Ventures Jackson was born on October 25, 1972 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. He was raised by two wonderful grandmothers and is the oldest of six siblings. V.J. attended Mt. Vernon High School and was active in sports. He played baseball, football and was on the wrestling team. Immediately after graduating high school in 1990 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for over four years as a radioman in the telecommunications field. After receiving an honorable discharged in 1996, V.J. began his career in corrections at Vandalia Correctional Center. He is currently working at Big Muddy Correctional Center as a Correctional Lieutenant. It was through work that V.J. and Ramona met. She was also a correctional officer at that time and their inside joke is that they met in prison. They married on October 23, 1999. V.J. has a son Tarell J.(TJ) Gillespie who is fifteen and lives in Nashville, TN. V.J and Ramona have a son Ventures J. Jackson II (little V.J.) who is twelve. V.J.’s hobbies include coaching baseball, volunteering at school and bowling.
Highlights at a Glance
V.J. served in the Navy
He is a Correctional Lieutenant at Big Muddy C.C.
He volunteers at school
Ramona also worked at Vandalia C.C. as an officer
She owns and operates her own business
As a child V.J. would ride the Joy Bus to the Cherry Street Church of Christ (Mt. Vernon Church Of Christ) until he was fourteen. After returning home from the Navy he began worshiping again, this time with Ramona. V.J. was baptized into Christ in November of 2000. His favorite scripture is Philippians 3:12-14 These verses remind V.J to not dwell in the past where God has brought him from because doing so would hinder him from reaching his goal. Ramona was born in Centreville, Illinois, on July 7, 1971 and grew up in East St. Louis. Her family has a long history in the churches of Christ dating back to when her ancestors were slaves on the Childress plantation. Mr. Childress said he attended a church of Christ and wanted his slaves to attend also. Her grandfather was a carpenter and a preacher who built the Blackton Church of Christ , which was the first Church Of Christ in Blackton, Arkansas. Her grandparents are buried there. Mona’s mom and dad and all her siblings are members of the church and she comes from a singing family. Her mother sang in church and was one of the choir directors. Mona, herself, sang in the church choir and also her high school choir. Four of Mona’s six siblings currently have a singing group. Mona attended East St. Louis Senior High where she was junior class secretary, office worker for three years. She was a majorette in the
band one year and was in the French club. She received the Principal’s Scholars Program award and was awarded Who’s Who Among American High School Students. After graduating in 1989, she attended SIU Carbondale and graduated in 1995 with a degree in Clothing and Textiles/ Fashion Design. She also graduated Cosmetology in 1997 and Barber College in 2012. Mona has worked for the Department of Corrections at the Vandalia facility from 1996-1998. After Ramona left the prison she went to live in Atlanta. V. J. missed her so much, he went after her and brought her home eight months later. They would marry within the year. Ramona has also worked as a stay at home mom, a hair stylist at Headquarters Salon and Regis/Smart Style Salon and since 2007 she has run her own hair salon called NaJon Hair Salon in Carbondale. The name NaJon is in honor of her late mother and her father who is still alive. Ramona enjoys shopping, reading, decorating and re-organization. Her favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” She recalls chanting this scripture to get her through an open MRI and it just speaks to her when she is having any doubts. By Sheryl Brenningmeyer
Highlights at a Glance
V.J. served in the Navy
He is a Correctional Lieutenant at Big Muddy C.C.
He volunteers at school
Ramona also worked at Vandalia C.C. as an officer
She owns and operates her own business
As a child V.J. would ride the Joy Bus to the Cherry Street Church of Christ (Mt. Vernon Church Of Christ) until he was fourteen. After returning home from the Navy he began worshiping again, this time with Ramona. V.J. was baptized into Christ in November of 2000. His favorite scripture is Philippians 3:12-14 These verses remind V.J to not dwell in the past where God has brought him from because doing so would hinder him from reaching his goal. Ramona was born in Centreville, Illinois, on July 7, 1971 and grew up in East St. Louis. Her family has a long history in the churches of Christ dating back to when her ancestors were slaves on the Childress plantation. Mr. Childress said he attended a church of Christ and wanted his slaves to attend also. Her grandfather was a carpenter and a preacher who built the Blackton Church of Christ , which was the first Church Of Christ in Blackton, Arkansas. Her grandparents are buried there. Mona’s mom and dad and all her siblings are members of the church and she comes from a singing family. Her mother sang in church and was one of the choir directors. Mona, herself, sang in the church choir and also her high school choir. Four of Mona’s six siblings currently have a singing group. Mona attended East St. Louis Senior High where she was junior class secretary, office worker for three years. She was a majorette in the
band one year and was in the French club. She received the Principal’s Scholars Program award and was awarded Who’s Who Among American High School Students. After graduating in 1989, she attended SIU Carbondale and graduated in 1995 with a degree in Clothing and Textiles/ Fashion Design. She also graduated Cosmetology in 1997 and Barber College in 2012. Mona has worked for the Department of Corrections at the Vandalia facility from 1996-1998. After Ramona left the prison she went to live in Atlanta. V. J. missed her so much, he went after her and brought her home eight months later. They would marry within the year. Ramona has also worked as a stay at home mom, a hair stylist at Headquarters Salon and Regis/Smart Style Salon and since 2007 she has run her own hair salon called NaJon Hair Salon in Carbondale. The name NaJon is in honor of her late mother and her father who is still alive. Ramona enjoys shopping, reading, decorating and re-organization. Her favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” She recalls chanting this scripture to get her through an open MRI and it just speaks to her when she is having any doubts. By Sheryl Brenningmeyer
