Marla Jackson-Lawrence, a beautiful soul who left this earth far too soon, was the daughter of the late Mamie Lee Cook Jackson. She was born on March 14, 1971, in Tiptonville, Tennessee, and passed away at her residence in Paducah, Kentucky, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Marla had a happy, outgoing personality and went out of her way to help anyone. She never met a stranger. She loved to laugh, tell jokes, and entertain others. One thing that will always be remembered about Marla is that she loved to dress. Whenever she was in public, she would be dressed from head to toe, and her shoes had to match her outfit.

Her favorite color was red, and she wore it proudly as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She became a member in March 1993 while a student at Western Kentucky University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. She was previously employed as a life skills trainer at Neuro Restorative in Paducah.

Marla was of the Christian faith and attended Church of the Living God in Paducah.

Preceding her in death were her mother, one sister, Elvie Jean Hughes, and one brother, James Cook.

Left behind to cherish sweet memories of Marla are Two Sisters, Janice Shiwoniku and Sandra Burns; One Brother, Larry Jackson; Five Nieces, Tiffany Burns, Audrianna Hughes, Kayla (Quentin) McDonald, Hailyn Hughes and Aniyah McDonald; Two Nephews, Dominique (Veronica) Hughes and Dominique Bolen, all of Paducah; Four Aunts, Magnolia Perkins of Chicago, Illinois, Ailleen Childress of Michigan, Mildred Johnson of Hickman, Kentucky and Doralyn Warren of Paducah; Special Cousin, Joe (Tonya) Warren of Paducah; and Special Friends, Paula Russell of Nashville, Tennessee, Melissa Alford of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Dawn Cleary of Paducah.

Marla will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, but she will remain in their hearts forever.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, 11:00 a.m., (CST), at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Stephen F. Harvey officiating.  

The Memorial will be livestreamed on the Pettus-Rowland Funeral Home, LLC Facebook Page beginning at 10:45 a.m. (CST) on Saturday, March 7, 2026..