Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Henry Lee Jackson, Sr. was born on November 1, 1929 to the blessed union of Ezra Lee Jackson and Willie Mae Crosby in Jonestown, MS. He was the first of 12 children. He accepted Christ at an early age and attended Hickory Ridge Church in Delhi, LA. He graduated from Waverly High School in Crowville LA and attended annual school reunions until recently. He met and married the love of his life, Beatrice Johnson Jackson on July 10, 1951. They would have celebrated 68 years of holy matrimony this year. To this union, six children were born. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Knox, KY and Korea for a total of eight years. After being honorably discharged from the army, he returned to Monroe, LA and worked for several companies over the years and retired from Borden's Milk Company on December 28, 1994. Henry and Beatrice became active members of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe over 60 years ago. Over the years, he served as Sunday school teacher and Superintendent, worked with the jail ministry, and was a deacon and chairman of the Deacon Board until his health began to fail. He received numerous awards and recognition for his dedication and support of the church. The church fellowship hall was named "The Henry Jackson Fellowship Hall" in 2009. He was the last surviving member who signed the original building note for the church's current location at 709 S. 13th St. in Monroe LA. He participated in several annual community walkathons including those for the American Heart Association, the March of Dimes, Sickle Cell Anemia, and the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer. He received awards, trophies, and plaques and was recognized in later years for being the oldest participant. Deacon Jackson was a skilled carpenter and had many varied abilities which he shared unselfishly. He successfully completed a computer class in his eighties and received a diploma. He was greatly respected in his church and community. Henry departed this life after a brief illness Monday June 29, 2020. He leaves a legacy of love in the hearts of his family. Three children preceded him in death - Joan Jackson, Henry Lee Jackson, Jr., and Ezra Lee Jackson. Five brothers and sisters preceded him in death - Bessie Mae Smith, Willie Edward Williams, Annie Nell Taylor, Peggy Williams, and Dora King. He leaves a legacy of love in the hearts of his family. He is survived by his wife, Beatrice; two daughters, Patricia Cooper Chicago, IL and Doris M. Jackson, Monroe, LA; one son, Gregory A. Jackson (Regina) Monroe, LA; and six siblings, Della Mae Goldman, Delhi, LA, Mitchell (Martha) Williams, Las Vegas, NV, Fannie Tousana, Chicago, IL, Mary (Kerry) Brice, Epps, LA, Jane (Philip) Coleman, Las Vegas, NV, and Johnny (Mary Jean) Williams, Delhi, LA. He also leaves 14 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and church family. Funeral services are Friday July 3, 2020 at 11am at Miller Funeral Home 2932 Renwick St. Monroe, LA, interment Richwood Memorial Gardens. Visitation is Thursday July 2, 1-6pm at Miller Funeral Home.

Photo Deacon Henry Lee Jackson Sr.