Mr. James E. Jackson, Sr.

With heartfelt sympathy, Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home and members of the Jackson family announce the passing of Mr. James Edward Jackson, Sr., of Darlington, SC. Mr. Jackson transitioned Monday, December 29, 2025, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, SC, after an illness.

Public viewing will be from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Friday, January 9, 2025, at Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, 612 S Main St, Darlington, SC.

Funeral service will be held 12:00 PM, Saturday, January 10, 2025, at Salem Baptist Church, 902 S Main St, Darlington, SC. Interment with military honors will follow at Faith Memorial Gardens, Rogers Rd, Darlington, SC.

Obituary

Mr. James Edward Jackson, Sr. was born on August 14, 1953, in Manhattan, NY to the late Augustus Jackson, Sr. and Mable Waddell. He departed this earthly life and went from labor to reward on Monday, December 29, 2025, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, SC at the age of seventy-two.

Jack, as he was affectionately called, was raised in Darlington, SC, by his maternal grandmother, Grace Waddell Black Smith (Mother) and his maternal aunt, Minnie Dixon. He received his formal education in the Darlington County Public School System, graduating from Mayo High School Class of 1971.

James joined the U.S. Navy after high school and was joined in holy matrimony to Annie Lee Nettles. Their union was blessed with two children, James Edward Jackson, Jr. and Pamela Talita Jackson. James served his country during Vietnam and was honorably discharged. Thereafter, he returned home to South Carolina to his wife and family.

James moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and lived there for many years working as a factory mechanic. During his time in Philadelphia his daughter Tiffany Mable Jackson was born and he helped to raise Tiffany’s older sister, Lisa Washington.

He moved to North Carolina in the late nineties where he reunited with and remarried, Annie Lee Nettles. He re-established his life in Charlotte, North Carolina where he lived happily and worked and retired from Lance. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, a MWPHGL of MD Mason, and a member of the American Legion. He traveled home to South Carolina frequently to spend time with his mother, siblings, and extended family members. He was a very loving grandfather and helped to raise his grandchildren who affectionately called him Granddad and Poppop. He was always ready to spend time with them greeting them with a ‘what’s up, old man?’, ‘hey boobaloop’ or calling them peanut head. James was comical and always smiling and laughing. His sense of humor and infectious laugh will be missed.

James relocated to Darlington, South Carolina where he lived quietly enjoying his later years. Grounded with a Christian upbringing, he was an active member of Salem Baptist Church where he would attend Sunday services. He spent his Sunday afternoons watching his favorite NFL football team, the Philadelphia Eagles. He enjoyed sitting on his front porch, legs crossed, rocking in his rocking chair. He enjoyed cooking, collecting guns with his son, fishing with his son-in-law, taking care of his vegetable garden and his favorite cat, Peepers. He was a creature of habit and followed his daily routine of convenience store runs for a honey bun, coffee and a lottery ticket and trips to CVS. He loved telling stories and spending time with his family and friends and he enjoyed watching old country western movies. James was a lover of Cadillac cars and enjoyed the hum of the road and listening to oldie but goodies while traveling in the wee hours of the morning to Maryland and Pennsylvania and back home again. Attending family reunions was one of his favorite things to do. He was a strong and present force in his family and will truly be missed.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; siblings: Patricia Mae Coe-Davis, Augustus Jackson, Jr. and Gussie ‘Prinny’ (Melvin) Kelly.

His legacy is survived by his children: James (Tamika) Edward Jackson, Jr., Pamela (Chad) Talita Jackson-Robinson and Tiffany (Arthur) Jackson-Tiggs. Eight grandchildren, Chadraune’ (Prentiss) Jackson Robinson, Darrian (Chassidy) Jer’ron Jackson, Sr., Cajha’ Robinson, Chad Robinson, Jr., Emajae’ Kiony-JaBre Jackson, Nadia Eman Jackson, Violet Anna Jackson and James Edward Jackson, III.; six great-grandchildren: Darrian Jer’ron Jackson, Jr., Zoe LeeAnn Robinson, Khollens Evans, Kaiyzer Robinson, Ramaj JaKai and Romi Sage McClure; his siblings: Leroy (Linda) Jackson, Sr., Randy Jackson, Hannah Linda Jackson, Gladys Green and Mack (Faye) Patterson; a special nephew, Travis Kelly; a special cousin, Willyce (Harold) Felder; two special aunts: Gertrude Campbell and Dorothy Spencer; one bonus grandson, Javan (SheBria) Kitchen; one bonus great-grandson, Jaxson Kitchen; two bonus great-grand-daughters:London Ragin and Jireh Kitchen; a god- son, Mason Tolbert; special friends: Matthew Bell, Johnny Flynn, Sammie Davis and Curtis Damon (deceased); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, other relatives and friends.

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. James Edwards Jackson, Sr., in your thoughts and prayers. 

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