Harriet “Puddin” Jackson, 88, a cofounder of the Royalites social and charity club and member of that South Side club for nearly four decades, died of complications from an infection, Saturday, June 8, in St. Anthony Hospital. Born in St. Louis, Mrs. Jackson moved to Chicago with her parents and graduated from Hyde Park High School before attending a business college in the Midwest. She worked part-time at a Chicago movie theater before marrying William “Little Jack” Jackson in 1938. In the early 1940s, she and a dozen other women formed the Royalites, a social and charity club that earned a reputation for elegant parties and fundraising efforts that benefited local hospitals and the United Negro College Fund. Mrs. Jackson, who appeared at social functions dressed in gowns and giant feathered hats, “was a classy lady who loved fashion, and she was one of the best-dressed women,” said Jane Cage-Bertch, a former Royalite member. Mrs. Jackson also enjoyed after-hours parties at the Rum Boogie bar and the Old Palm Tavern, events that often included jazz musicians Duke Ellington and Nat “King” Cole, said her daughter, Judy Ann Thomas. Mrs. Jackson’s husband died in 1989. In addition to her daughter, survivors include a son, William Jackson Jr.; and three grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 ti 11 a.m. Thursday in the Cage Memorial Chapel, 7651 S. Jeffrey Blvd. Services will be follow in the chapel.
