Jackie Kay Oakley, age 86, of Anderson, SC, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Dominion Senior Living of Anderson.

Born May 16, 1939, in Anderson, SC, she was a daughter of the late William Haskell Kay and Bertha Lee Watkins Kay. She was married for 60 years to James Kenneth Oakley until his death in 2019. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Kay Jefferson and Carolyn Charping. Jackie was also preceded in death by her beloved toy poodles who were like her children, Prissy, Missy, and Sissy.

Jackie was a graduate of Girls High and furthered her education at Anderson College (Associate of Arts), Furman University (Bachelor of Arts in History and Elementary Education), and Clemson University (Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling and Early Childhood Education).

Jackie dedicated her life to learning and educating others. She was instrumental in aiding in the integration of public schools in Anderson School District Five working as a guidance counselor at both West Market and South Fant for several years. She developed a program for Tri-County Technical College for teacher's aides in kindergarten and also developed an Early Childhood program training teachers in the Anderson, Pickens and Oconee Head Start programs. She worked with the Appalachian Region Health Council to head the Early Childhood program in the upstate including Anderson, Greenville, Spartanburg, Pickens, Oconee, and Cherokee counties.

Jackie was proud of her contributions to education and wanted to help others in their dreams of furthering their education as well. She was the recipient of the Cleo Bailey Teacher of the Year Award. The Jackie Oakley Endowed Scholarship given by her many friends to the Tri-County Technical College Foundation funds two scholarships per year. Her life and legacy will continue to live on in the dreams of others.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Anderson.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11:00 am at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Anderson County Humane Society, 407 Pearman Dairy Rd, Anderson, SC 29625.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting WWW.MCDOUGALDFUNERALHOME.COM.