God called John Ernest Jackson, Sr., 85, of Akron, Ohio on Thursday, September 6, 2018 and he answered.  Born to Edd and Lucy (Harmon) Jackson on September 12, 1932, in Montgomery, Alabama. He served in the U.S. Army and attended Akron Public Schools.  His employment included Miracle Mart, McNeil Akron, Rockwell, retiring from RCA in 1998 and lastly a school crossing guard.

John was a fine Christian man who loved to serve the Lord.  His desire was for everyone to be saved.  As a faithful member of the Macedonia Baptist Church, he served as a Trustee, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, the Monday and Friday night Mission, the Tuesday Noon Day Lunch Program and the passing of tracks on Saturday morning.  He enjoyed the admiration and respect of all who knew him. Husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, friend – he loved his family,  he insisted on his entire family attending Sunday School and church every Sunday – sick or not, having daily devotion with the neighborhood kids joining in, and mandatory youth group on Sunday evenings.  He also enjoyed pizza day with his granddaughter, NeeNee.

Preceded in death by his parents Edd and Lucy Jackson; brothers, Ulysses, Edward, Arthur Jackson; sisters, Odessa Wells, Mary White and Rotelia Carlton.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife Ruby; daughters; Elaine Cherry, Angela Walker, Tangi (Michael) Delaney, Stacey Rice (Johnnie Buckley), Jeanelle Likely, Josette (Roger) Henry, Samantha Jackson, and Darnella Cummings; sons, John Ernest (Champ) Jackson, Jr., Larry (Charletta ) Jackson of California, Herman (Cochise) Walker, and Dale Walker; brother, Matthew Jackson; god son, Timothy (Frances) Williams, all of Akron, Ohio; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary Pitts and Lessie D. Jones of Akron, Ohio,  Beatrice Arnold, Margie (Calvin) Davis, Luella Tillman, and Vivian (Anthony) Codey, all of Valdosta, Georgia; grandchildren, Nickole (Al) Holmes, Alexsis, Kyle, Taylor, Justin Walker, Bryon Preston, Bree Cherry, Dale and John Hambrick, Richard and Micah Delaney, Kenae Rice, Earl Likely III, Candice Brown, Ricky Wallace, Annjanicka (NeeNee) Jackson, Rayshawn Oliver, Zahne` Cummings, all of Akron, Ohio, Jonathan Yarbrough of Florida, Tosha Goode of Idaho, Yolanda and Larry D. Jackson of California; 21 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)