Shining Lights of Everyday People

“Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love.”—Mother Teresa

By Joanie Allbee

Jacalyn Bracewell – her friends call her Jacki – is a laid-back, generous, gifted and humble woman with an array of talents. Jacki, who has spent a lifetime teaching elementary students, gently slips into Teacher’s mode. She often instructs and educates those among her in the most informative way.

She has studied genealogy and finds it interesting. Her hobby is an artistic Thread Painting challenge to keep herself learning. She has been a quilter since 1978, when she made her first quilt. She started sewing by age seven, and by her teens was making all her own clothes.

Jacki holds the title of officer chaplain with Parson Roby Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She loves to assist and organize environmental projects. Jacki’s a natural leader, but humbly places her teaching skills first in line. She has volunteered serving in food pantries and volunteers for service clean ups and organizing events.

She generously offered to organize a quilt making project for DAR. She contributed the use of her home along with quilt materials and sewing machines to make quilt covers while she does the quilting for a three quilts project for three veterans. In March of 2026, the three patriotic quilts will be presented at the state meeting to three selected Veterans. Jacki’s work has won first place in District and third place in National in “wall hanging category” in contests.

Jacki enjoys British History.

She loves music. “I’m always hearing song cues and music in my head,“ Jacki said.

The more flustered I become, the more likely I am to break out in a song right in your face, “ Jacki said.

Jacki is patient and kind. Jacki’s father had a phrase that she grew up with, and now it’s her life’s motto: “There’s one thing I just won’t put up with and that’s intolerance.”

Jacki is sketched holding her current new project of Thread Painting.