Dec. 30, 1918 – Dec. 15, 2016

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6
LEBANON, Ill. — Services for Augustine “Jennie” Jackson Matthews George, 98, of Lebanon, Ill., formerly of Natchez, who died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Labanon, will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Meyer Funeral Home Chapel in Lebanon.  
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Jackson was born Dec. 30, 1918, in Natchez, the daughter of John and Jennie Mclory Jackson. She was nicknamed “Jennie” after her mother’s death and was raised in Natchez by her father’s sisters, Julia Jackson, Susie (Nannie) Griffin and Rosie Haley, affectionately known as Champa.
Augustine received Christ Jesus as her personal savior at an early age.
She met Johnny Matthews in 1940, at the location of the Natchez Rhythm Nightclub. Augustine was inside the club when the fire broke out but escaped safely and met Johnny as he searched for his brother, who perished in the fire. Augustine was one of the last living survivors of the fire that claimed 209 lives.
Augustine and Johnny were married and moved to New Orleans. She worked as a cook and a home caregiver and made the best gumbo in town. From this union was born Lenora Vera Matthews and Margie Louise Matthews. After 29 years of marriage, Johnny passed away in 1969, and Augustine remarried in 1979 to Ellis George. She united with Greater St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church in New Orleans, under the leadership of the Rev. Paul Morton. Augustine loved to read her Bible with her favorite scripture being the Book of Psalms, chapter 23.
Mrs. George was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband; her second husband; one sister, Marguerite Jackson; and three aunts, Julia, Nannie and Champa.
Survivors include two daughters, Lenora Harris and Margie Fears and husband, Wayne; three grandchildren, Daniel Fears, James Harris III and Landon Fears; one great-grandchild, Jamison Harris; one brother, Charles Jackson; and a number of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.