Life’s Reflections

Cleveland

“Jack” Jackson Jr. was born March 8, 1933, to the late Cleveland Jackson Sr. and the late Charley Smith Jackson in Capleville, Tennessee. Cleveland accepted Christ as his personal savior at Brown Baptist Missionary Church at an early age, under the leadership of the late Pastor Champion and later under Pastor Bartholomew Orr, until his health began to fail.

Cleveland Jackson Jr. attended Geeter High School and joined the United States Army shortly afterward, where he fought in the Korean War and served as a Sergeant from 1953 - 1955. In search of pursuing new career opportunities when he left the army, Cleveland acquired a job at Shainberg Department Store as a truck driver then a becoming a supervisor at Trojan Luggage Co. Later, Cleveland became an entrepreneur in Orange Mound, Tn. where he owned and operated a store at the corner of Carnes Avenue and Hilton Street “Jackson’s Grocery” he often hired local children in the neighborhood between the ages of 10-12 and taught them how to run the business, including how to sale newspapers like the Tri-State Defender from 1970, for nearly 30 years.

Cleveland, affectionately known as “Jack,” was a man of God, a lover of gospel music, and was the last living member of the gospel group The Southern Jubilee. He was known to enjoy watching wrestling and all genre of sports. Cleveland was also a self-certificated newscaster to anyone that needed highlights of the day, week, or what was going on in Orange Mound. Cleveland enjoyed providing not only for his family but also for his community.

On Monday, July 24, Cleveland departed this life like the setting of the glowing sun.

Cleveland leaves to cherish his loving memory and in the care of the Lord: three sons: Cleveland (Barbara) Jackson III, Dedrick Wiggins, Sr. and Rodney Williams. Three daughters: Deborah (Mark) Stone, Lisa Hurt Dennis, and Vickki Hurt Jones. Twenty-three grandchildren: Kymeatra “Kym,” Kewon, Stacy, Turquoise (Ronnie), Jerrell, Mark Jr, Justin (Jewel), Jerico, Rodney Jr., Diimetria, Derica “Butta,” LaDarius Sr., Dedrick II “Champ,” Dedrick III “Prince,” Jada, Deondria, Dawndria, Le’Derricka, Deidre, Precious, Marlon. Thirty-four great-grandchildren: Kevion, Kaiden, Kheri, Maison, Ravien, Tarahji, Ronnie Jr., Cedrick, Isaiah, LaCordia, LaKevia, Caelyn, Mason, Myles, Kerry, Keirriek, AKwano, Derica, Arrieanna, Ayden, LaDarius Jr., Kahlil, Antaeo, Shaion, Ace, Antwan Jr., Amir, Olivia, Amaya, LaDaria, DaMari, Amari, Kingston, Shiloh. Ten great-great-grandchildren: Amari, Deante, Deandre, A’niyah, Aaliah, Alaina, Amir, Elijah, Alayah, Alani. One brother: Larry (Marilyn) Harris of Memphis, Tennessee. One sister-in-law: Doristine Thompson-Barbee of Los Angeles, CA. Three God sons: Arthur Norfleet, Sam Chandler, and Tony Thrasher, all of Memphis, Tennessee. and a host of relatives, friends, and neighbors.

Cleveland was preceded in death by two sisters, Joyce Curtis, and Demetrice Jones.