George was born to the late George C. and Mildred Jackson, Sr., in Detroit, MI on August 31, 1941. The family relocated from Michigan to West Point, MS to be near family. George was called to the ministry as a young man. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from Mississippi State University and the M.S. degree in divinity from Emory University. For the next 50 years, he served numerous churches and communities throughout Mississippi as pastor, college administrator, and counselor, covering the state from the delta (Clarksdale), through the central and east (Columbus, Mathiston, Macon), to the coast (Pascagoula) and the northern hills (Oxford), always on a mission to help others. He was an especially gifted and inspiring preacher, delivering insightful and powerful sermons with humility and humor. He was a faithful optimist who consistently demonstrated famously enviable levels of enthusiasm and energy.
Reverend Jackson was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He married Dorothy on June 3, 1988, in Oxford, MS. They were adored by the congregations they served together. George especially loved children, dogs, trains, and hats! He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his creator.
Reverend Jackson is survived by his wife, Dorothy, his children George C. (Carol) Jackson, III (Pensacola, FL), Cynthia (Bart) Williams (Starkville, MS), and Alan Jackson (Starkville, MS); his brother David Jackson (Collierville, TN); Dorothy’s children Ashley (Kevin) Cearfoss (Wilmington, NC) and George W. (Kelly) Vickery, III (St. Augustine, FL); grandchildren Gracieann Williams, Emily Williams, Ryder Jones, Rainey Jones, Chalsea Vickery, and Ally Vickery; and his sisters-in-law Alice Clark (Oxford) and Mary Robins (Flowood).
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Florence Jackson Carothers.
Funeral services for Reverend Jackson will be held Monday October 16, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Starkville, MS. Reverend Jim Genesse will officiate the service. Visitation will be held at 1:00 – 2:00 pm prior to the service.
