Walter Dubose Jackson

Walter DuBose Jackson, age 87, died at home on Sunday, April 10, 2016, born in Rochelle, Georgia on September 18, 1928, the fifth of the six sons of William Joseph and Susannah Eliza (Sudie) DuBose Jackson. Walter Jackson served at the conclusion of World War II in Korea, Viet Nam and the Cuban Crisis.He entered the United States Marine Corps in April, 1946 and was stationed in New York City during the closing of World War II.In June, 1951, he joined the U. S. Army Airborne where he served as a paratrooper, making 126 jumps during his 22-year career.Walter and his wife, Geneva Clark Jackson, along with their two children, served in many places, ranging from Fort Benning, Georgia to Anchorage, Alaska.Walter served a one-year tour in Viet Nam during that conflict.He was stationed in Alaska in 1959 when Alaska became a state. Following his retirement from military, Walter and his family returned to Rochelle where he began work with Gold Kist (later Golden Peanut Company ).He retired after 20 years as a Field Supervisor with Golden. Throughout his life Walter Jackson was active in community service.He was raised a Master Mason on August 16, 1960, and after his return to Rochelle, twice served as Worshipful Master of Rochelle Lodge #190.He served as a Rochelle City Councilman 1972-1975.Walter has given faithful service to Rochelle First Baptist Church where he was an ordained deacon as well as serving in various ministries such as Helping Hands, Disaster Relief Team, and Baptist Builders. One of his favorite activities was playing music, especially chimes on Sunday mornings prior to the Sunday School hour. Walter enjoyed traveling, camping, dancing with the Wilcox Swingers, music, friends, and especially family gatherings.His favorite place to go was to Hawaii and he visited there eight times over his lifetime.Several years after Geneva’s death in 1990, he traveled alone for a month long tour of Australia.His favorite activity was hosting gatherings of family and friends. In 1999, Walter married Barbara Ann Smith, formerly of Ringgold, Georgia.They made their home in Rochelle until his death.Walter was blessed to have found love twice in his life and to have had fulfilling marriages each time. In addition to his parents, Walter Jackson was predeceased by his first wife, Geneva Clark Jackson; his stepson, Dolton Smith; four brothers, Willie Joe Jackson, Ralph Evander Jackson, James Randolph Jackson, and Julius Moncrief Jackson and a nephew, Bill Jackson.He is survived by his wife, Barbara Smith Jackson; children, Deborah Faye Jackson McDonald, Walter Bruce Jackson (and wife, Kathy), and Leigh Anne Smith Clements (and husband, Shane), all of Wilcox County; and his brother, Ernest Elmer Jackson (and wife, Priscilla) of Forsyth, Georgia.He also is survived by six grandchildren; Laide McDonald (and wife, Kelly), Megan McDonald Davis (and husband, Grant), Erin Jackson (Jack Windham), Samantha Jackson, Bailey Clements, and Haven Clements; by five great-grandchildren; Myles Davis, Harley Davis, Nicolas Garcia, Isabella Mabie, and Tyler Gray; and by niece and nephews, David Jackson, Sharon Jackson King (husband, Jimmy), Jim Jackson (wife, Terri), Ricky Jackson (wife, Karen), and Kenny Jackson. The family wishes to express its appreciation to Pruitt Hospice, especially Pruitt Hospice Nurse, Greg Lamb, and to Walter’s faithful caregivers, Patricia Singleton and Sharon Wright-Lawson. Visitation will be held at Frazier and Son Funeral Home at 6-8 PM Tuesday, April 12th. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM at Rochelle First Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 13th celebrating the life of Walter DuBose Jackson.Reverend Nelson Goddard will officiate.Entombment will be in the Morningside Cemetery in Rochelle with Military Rites. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Food Ministry of Rochelle First Baptist Church, 701 Gordon Street, P. O. Box 566, Rochelle, Georgia 31079. Frazier and Son Funeral Home of Rochelle has charge of arrangements.