Townson-Rose Funeral Home

Obituary for Earlene Cynthia Jackson von der Osten


11/26/1930 - 04/26/2019


Earlene Cynthia Jackson von der Osten, 88, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend passed away on April 26, 2019.

Born in Douglas, Alabama on November 26, 1930, Earlene spent her younger years working on the family’s farm with her twin sister and two brothers. She graduated from Douglas High School in 1949 and worked for Purina in Birmingham, Alabama for nine years before moving to join her twin sister in Staten Island, New York.

She met and married New York police officer Robert von der Osten in 1963, and in 1967 they moved back to her home state of Alabama. She joined the staff at Snead State College in Boaz, starting in the Financial Aid Office, before advancing to her true calling as the Director of Veterans Affairs. She received many accolades and awards from both the state and veterans themselves. She also served in various roles in the American Legion Auxiliary (Post 94), including Treasurer, Second Vice President and Poppy Day Chairman.

Mrs. von der Osten retired from the college in 1980 and moved to a beautiful 100 year-old home near the beach in Ormond Beach, Florida. After 16 years in Florida, she and her husband found the place they truly loved: Hayesville, North Carolina. Their mountain cottage on a forest road was known for its large garden year after year. Mrs. von der Osten enjoyed growing vegetables and fruits for canning, which she gave away freely to family and friends, even strangers (even though she never met a stranger). She enjoyed spending time with tremendous friends in the Hayesville Community and never turned down an invitation, particularly if it involved dancing. She was a member of Hayesville United Methodist Church, the VFW Post #6812 Women’s Auxiliary, and American Legion Post #532 Women’s Auxiliary. She and her husband also volunteered with Meals on Wheels, AARP and other organizations in the area.

Mrs. von der Osten is preceded in death by her parents, R.C. and Barbara (Bynum) Jackson, husband Robert von der Osten, daughter Trudy Herrod VanBibber, stepson Carl von der Osten, twin sister Willene Fahy, and brothers J.P. Jackson and Milton Jackson.

She is survived by her son Kurt (Stayca), daughter Barbara (Kevin), stepdaughter Lynn MaGee, step-daughter-in-law Maureen von der Osten, grandchildren Anja, Kyler, Michael, Margaret, Robert (Kate), Danny, and Catherine (Brook), four great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Gathering of friends and family will take place Saturday, May 4th between 6:00-8:00 p.m. and also on Sunday, May 5th between 1:00-2:00 pm at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel of Hayesville. Services will be held at the Hayesville First United Methodist Church on Sunday, May 5th at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Hayesville First UMC Cemetery.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.


You may send tributes to the family at www.townson-rose.com