Violet Smallhorne-jackson ’79

In her Tigers Pause essay, Violet wrote that although she would miss our 25th reunion, she hoped to make the 30th. Sadly, that will not be.

After an 18-month struggle with breast cancer, Violet died in Oakland, Calif., July 1, 2004. She was 46.

In 1983, Violet earned her medical degree from Stanford, where she met her husband, Keith Jackson, then a graduate student in physics. Violet did her general surgical residency at Howard University and then completed a plastic surgery residency at the University of Southern California. She also earned a master's degree in cranio-facial biology, and was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Before her death, she had a private practice in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Violet's brilliance, commitment, passion, and courage will be greatly missed. Although wheelchair-bound, in June she attended the same-day graduations of her children, son Akil from Oakland's College Preparatory School, where she was a trustee, and daughter Kamilah from Stanford.

The class sends its deepest sympathy to Keith, Kamilah, and Akil, and to all of Violet's family and friends. Those wishing to make a donation in her honor are asked to contact Morehouse College at www.morehousealumniandfriends.com or Howard University at www.howard.edu.

The Class of 1979