"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord."
2 Corinthians 5:6-8
Jesse James Jackson was born on June 29, 1921 in Savannah, Georgia to the late Benjamin Jackson and Anita Mitchell Jackson. Jesse Jackson's life speaks for itself. Always business minded, at the age of eight or nine years old, he built his own wooden stand with supplies headed to downtown Savannah to shine shoes in front of the DeSoto Hotel. Later he built a wooden wagon using wheels for the toys of his siblings. The wagon was used to carry and sell timber to the neighbors.
Jesse was the first in his family to leave Savannah traveling to New York, living for a while with an aunt. Shortly thereafter because of his size and declaring to be older, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps at fifteen years old. Jesse joined a very rare group, the first African Americans to join the Marine Corps. In 1942, President Roosevelt established a executive order allowing African Americans an opportunity to enlist into the Marine Corps. However, African American men were not sent to the traditional boot camps at Parris Island, South Carolina or San Deigo, California. Instead, they were segregated and sent to Montford Point, a facility at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for basic training.
Calling it "The Best Day of My Life," on April 16, 2014 at the age of 92, and one of the few surviving and now eldest African Americans to join the Marine Corps, Jesse was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal by Massachusetts Congressman William R. Keating for his historical achievements and military service.
With an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps and only a 5th grade education, Sergeant Jesse J. Jackson went in to become the owner of several restaurants, night clubs and real estate holdings in Boston, Massachusetts. Jesse visited Savannah many times over the years to visit his mother, sister and brother who had all moved back from Boston in the early 90's. Retired, he moved from the Boston area to a gated community in Plymouth, MA some 30 years ago. He stated that his next move was to return to Savannah for good.
Jesse passed away peacefully at his home in Plymouth, MA on December 13, 2020 at the age of ninety-nine. His remains will be laid to rest in the family plot at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery on the grounds of Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA.
In addition to his parents, his wife Rose M. Jackson; sister, Mary A. Murray; and brother, Charles E. Jackson all preceded him in death.
The family of Jesse James Jackson continues to grow with the survival of a cherished goddaughter, Diane Henriquez; twenty nieces and nephews, Beverly Crawford, Roberta Montgomery, Jevonne Murray, Jaynelle Murray, Kayla Murray, Kailyn Montgomery, Jada Montgomery, Nia Crawford, Lauren Johnson, Ronald Murray, Bryant Murray, Chauncey Crawford, Jay Montgomery, Kevin Montgomery, Kevin Montgomery, II, Anthony Johnson, James Murray, Jaden Murray, Keilan Murray, and Elliott Murray; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Graveside services will be held 12 noon, Wednesday June 30, 2021 at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery/Hunter Army Airfield / Savannah, Georgia.
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Final Care and Service of Compassion are being provided to the Hudson Family, with Grace, Love, and Dignity by:
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204 West Hall Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401 ~ Tel: 912-233-2175 ~ Fax: 912-234-9343
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Mr. Edward D. Musgrow - Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
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