William (Jack) Haskell Jackson of Brandon, formerly of Columbus, passed away on Sunday, March 25, 2007. Visitation is Tuesday, March 27, at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbus, with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Odd Fellow Cemetery in Starkville. Mr. Jackson was the son of Rufus Holley Jackson and Tressie Elizabeth Sewell Jackson. He was born September 29, 1913, in Pontotoc County, MS. He is survived by his wife, Ann Graddy Jackson; a son, Charles Jackson and wife Brenda; two stepsons, Gary Richardson, and Danny Richardson and wife, Cindy; a stepdaughter, Carol Ann Grady and husband Denny. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Tressie Jackson; five brothers, Alvis, Odus, Cloyce, Harold, and Vernon; and two sisters, Wilma and Ruth; and first wife, Gertrude Carpenter Jackson. Mr. Jackson prepared for his career as an educator at Mississippi College in Clinton, where he received his undergraduate degree in chemistry and sixteen varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball, and tennis as well as being named small college all-american. He later received his Masters Degree and did advanced studies at the University of Mississippi in administration. His education career was interrupted four years while he served his country during World War II. He served in the Army Air Corps, where he rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was trained in early radar detection procedures and trained others in chemical warfare. Mr. Jackson served in the schools of Mississippi for 36 years. From his first job as a science teacher and coach at Louisville he went to Indianola as the high school principal and coach. He spent a year at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College and later went to (Huecks Street Retreat), Tupelo, Houlka, and Pass Christian before going to Columbus, where he was principal of Fairview Elementary school for 18 years before retiring in 1978. He was a member of the Order of the Red Red Rose. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the building fund at First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 829, Columbus, MS 39703, or to a charity of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William H Jackson, please visit our flower store.
