A graveside prayer and verse reading service will be held for James William Jackson as he is laid to rest at 2 pm, on Friday March 28, 2025, at Crestwood Cemetery, Gadsden, AL. A Jackson Family and Friends Fireworks Extravaganza for Jimmy will be held in July… because Jimmy would choose fireworks and laughter over sadness and tears.

James "Jimmy" William Jackson was born in 1943 to Jesse William and Edna Louise (Maxwell) Jackson, and was soon joined by his "partners in crime" sisters Cathy Lou (Kendrick) and Mary Carol (Mayhall) to complete the Jackson family, where they all lived with love under the roof of his adoring Grandmother Era Demarus (Turner) Maxwell "Ma Ma Mac" who made them clothes by hand, fed them full of homemade chicken and dumplings and lemon pie, and showered them with immeasurable happiness. Jimmy loved his grandmother and loved her lemon pie.

Jimmy spent twelve years attending school at Hokes Bluff where he met and eventually eloped with his high school sweetheart Charlotte June West to get married in 1964 in Trinton, Georgia. Two years later Jimmy and June began to make their own "Jackson 5-plus" with the addition of James Keith, Jon Kevin (Deana Hicks), and June Krista (Mark Weaver). Jimmy coached farm team and little league baseball, cheered-on the Hokes Bluff Girls softball team, and never missed a Thursday night Green Machine Band practice with his kids and all his "extra kids." He was an amazing father who in 1997 transitioned to being an even more amazing grandfather "Pops" with the birth of the first of "four-plus" awesome grandchildren, Maxwell Chandler Jackson (Jordyn Waldron), followed by John Mark Weaver, William Pete Montgomery Jackson, and Sophia Lola Marie Jackson. With the grandkids around, Jimmy continued his spectating love for Hokes Bluff sports (boys and girls) and the marching band, with a little Southside High School sports mixed in. Jimmy's great grandchildren recently "arrived on the scene" in 2023 with the arrival of Colsen Everytt and Ryker Dean, establishing the next generation of Jackson gentlemen and jokesters. Jimmy was a lifelong Alabama fan, but eventually split his loyalty to become a UAB Blazer, Jacksonville State Gamecock, Florida Gator, Shelton State Buccaneer, Auburn Tiger, and Southern Methodist Mustang fan in full support of his children and grandchildren as they pursued higher education which he always said, "once you get that piece of paper, they can't take it away from you." The entire family knows Jimmy will soon be wearing a heavenly Alfred the Hawk jersey as a Shorter University fan too.

Jimmy loved and shared crazy times with all his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Benny and Jana West, Frankie and Angie West, Larry Kendrick, and Danny Mayhall and made them all feel like they had "another brother." He also adored many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews who all shared equal respect and admiration for, and the backyard porch and pool with, their loving "Uncle Jim/Pops." Jimmy kept an open door to all his friends and "adopted family" throughout his long and generous life, and his Sunday School friends were very important to him for spiritual nurturing and love, even if they were slightly dysfunctional during the "Zoom Sunday School" Days. In a text message sent to the family this week from a dear sweet friend from Colombia who shared a special bond with Jimmy, she said…

"My memories of Mr. Jackson are always of a great human being, the memories of him are unforgettable. Me as a foreigner and far from my family, I always received his support, of both Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Jackson, along with their children and family, you gave me the love of a family. Those who knew how to live and left beautiful memories on this earth never truly die. His teachings

and love will always remain in my memory. May the Lord grant peace and comfort to the entire family. With heartfelt affection and gratitude, Cecilia."

Jimmy's Pall Bearers to rest will be Max Jackson, John Mark Weaver, Pete Jackson, Clay West, Blaine West, and Benjamin West, with honorary pallbearers Derric West, Stephen West, Sophia Jackson, Peyton West, Reece Patterson, and Izzy Patterson.

A very loving thanks is extended to Jimmy's most special healthcare giver over the years Dr. Danielle K. Powell MD MSPH—"this girl is on FIRE!"

Jimmy would appreciate donations in his honor to be made to Meadowbrook Baptist Church Preschool Ministry instead of flowers, or else buy fireworks to bring in July!