Joseph Emanuel Jackson, January 16, 1935 to February 11, 2026
With a warm, strong handshake, a wide, welcoming smile, and a loving, compassionate heart for each person he met, Joseph Emanuel Jackson, 91, of Golden, Mississippi, died on February 11, 2026. He was born at home on a cold winter day with snow gently falling on the blankets he was wrapped in. The family cabin was located in Happy Hollow community outside Red Bay, Alabama, in 1935. Edgar and Rethie Jackson, who were hard-working farmers and faithful ministers of God’s Word, were the proud parents of a son.
As a child, Emanuel was a suntanned baby because his mom sat him on a blanket as she plowed the fields alongside his dad. One of his favorite stories was when his cousin dared him to jump on the back of a bull. Being the optimist that he was, he accepted the dare resulting in three weeks’ bed rest…the beginning and the end of his rodeo aspirations.
His service in the Marine Corps was cut short because his dad needed help around the farm, so he came home to carry the load. He attended Red Bay High School before going to Birmingham to pursue employment. While working in Birmingham, he met the love of his life, Jearl Dean McGill. He first saw her going into church, and felt the need for church the very next Sunday. Three months later, they were married. He landed a job for South Central Bell and served over 30 years, installing most of the land phones in the Red Bay Area.
God called the young couple into the ministry and blessed them with 57 years of shared pastoral and preaching ministry in the Church of God. Their family of two extended to four beautiful children, ten grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren.
Emanuel will always be remembered for his huge heart of compassion, and the way he made every person feel special, appreciated, and loved. We’ll always imagine hearing him say “Mercy, Lord” one more time.
We couldn’t have asked for a better representation of what a Christian man was and will miss Emanuel (Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Jack, Brother Jackson) every day. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
Joseph Emanuel was preceded in death by his father and mother, Edgar and Rethie Jackson; his sister, Cleta Miller; and his daughter, Michelle Jackson Anderson; and is survived by his wife, Jearl; his children, Manya (Steve) Chappell, Micah (Stacey) Jackson, and Joshua (Vania) Jackson; two sisters, Rebecca Ray and Shirley Cody and a myriad of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Visitation is on Saturday, February 14, from 1:00 to 3:00 at Cornerstone Church of God, and the Celebration of Life Service will follow immediately at 3:00 at Cornerstone, Red Bay, Alabama. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery. Deaton Funeral Home, Red Bay, AL will be in charge of arrangements. A celebration of a Man who lived unconditionally loving people is only appropriate to be done on Valentine’s Day. Heaven is getting sweeter all the time. As Bro. Jackson always said, “It is joy unspeakable and full of glory!”
