Virginia M. Jackson

70 Russell Street – Train Depot - Virginia C. Jackson

A Keeper of Stories

Welcome to a special stop on our stroll through Brooksville’s storied past, where we’re shining a light on one of the town’s most remarkable women—Virginia C. Jackson. This charming lady, with her heart full of history and hands always busy helping others, was a true Brooksville treasure. So, let’s settle in and dive into the tale of a woman who wove herself into the very fabric of Brooksville.

Virginia C. Jackson, born in St. Petersburg, Florida, moved to Brooksville in 1970 and set about leaving a legacy that would make any Southerner proud. A tireless volunteer, she rolled up her sleeves for the Hernando Head Start program and the Hernando ARC, showing her love for the community’s youngest and most vulnerable. But it was her passion for preserving Brooksville’s history that truly set her apart. For over 30 years, Virginia served as Hernando County Historian, digging into the past with a curiosity that could light up Main Street. As Director of the Hernando Historical Society, she poured her heart into the Hernando Heritage Museum and the 1885 Russell Street Train Depot, making sure the stories of Brooksville’s pioneers were not lost to time.

In 2001, Virginia spearheaded the restoration of the Train Depot, securing grants from Florida’s Division of Historic Preservation to bring that old beauty back to life. She ran the volunteer program there with a warm smile, welcoming folks to explore the boxcar and fire engine displays until she stepped down in 2013, though she kept volunteering right up to March 2014. Her work did not go unnoticed—Brooksville named her the Great Brooksvillian in 2004, and in 1998, she earned a T.O.R.C.H. award for her community service. The state took notice too, appointing her to the Tampa Regional Preservation Citizen Support Organization’s Board of Advisors in November 1998, under Secretary of State Sandra Mortham.

Virginia wasn’t just about history books—she was a doer. Before retiring in 1987, she worked in the Pinellas and Hernando County Public School Systems, even serving as cafeteria manager at the First United Methodist Church of Brooksville. She collected genealogical records for the public, helping folks trace their roots, and lent her talents to the Hernando County Extension Program and Cannery. Her life was a testament to volunteerism, as she once said, “We’re here to help each other,” and she lived that truth every day.

Sadly, Virginia passed on July 12, 2014, at age 84, leaving behind her son Hank, daughters Rita, Joy, and Gerry, and a whole slew of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her funeral at the First United Methodist Church and burial at Lake Lindsey Cemetery were a testament to the love she inspired. Standing here, thinking about Virginia, you can almost see her organizing museum exhibits or sharing a story about old Brooksville with that twinkle in her eye. Let’s tip our hats to this incredible woman who kept Hernando County’s history alive and made her community a better place. 

Citations 

Obituary for Virginia C. (Michael) Jackson, Merritt Funeral Home, https://www.merrittfuneral.com.[](https://www.merrittfuneral.com/notices/Virginia-Jackson)

Hernando Historical Museum Association, https://www.hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com.

The Conversion of a Church and Restoration of a Cemetery, Hernando Sun, 2025, https://www.hernandosun.com.