Rev. Jesse Jackon's mother dies

GREENVILE, S.C., Sept. 8 (UPI) -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. announced his mother's death Monday on Twitter.

He wrote that Helen Jackson "made her transition to be with God."

A spokesperson for the civil rights leader said Helen passed away around 9:50 a.m. while in hospice care at Greenville Memorial Hospital surrounded by her son and other relatives.

Jackson was expected to speak about his mother at a news conference Tuesday morning.

Helen would have been 92 this year.

She gave birth to Jackson, born Jesse Burns, in 1941. Jackson's father was his mother's married neighbor, Noah Louis Robinson, a former professional boxer. When Jackson was 2 years old Helen married Charles Henry Jackson, a post office maintenance worker who adopted Jackson at the age of 16.

Jackson maintained a close relationship with both men.

Greenville County Councilwoman Xanthene Norris, a longtime Jackson family friend, told WYFF 4 Helen "was a beautiful person with a beautiful voice."

Jesse tweeted Sunday he was thankful for the support of everyone praying for his mother.