James Louis Jackson

James Louis Jackson, age 73, of Cotton Plant, passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, February 8, at Unity Health-White County Medical Center in Searcy.

Born on August 31, 1952, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, James was the beloved son of James Oscar Jackson and Elnora Word-Jackson. Affectionately known as "JJ," he was raised in Cotton Plant and attended the Cotton Plant Public School District.

After graduating from high school, James moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He lived and worked there for more than 35 years, dedicating over three decades as a bus driver for Kansas City Public Schools before he retired. In the early 2000s, James met Terri Guest, and the couple married in 2005.

Upon returning to Arkansas, James would occasionally attend local churches. He embraced a quiet, simple country life and found joy in the things he loved: cars, sports, driving friends and family wherever they needed to go, listening to music, and sharing laughter through jokes and playful banter. In his earlier years, he enjoyed fishing. James was also a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan. He cherished spending quality time with his family and friends.

James was preceded in death by his parents, James Oscar, and Elnora Jackson; two brothers, Jamell Jackson, and Jessie Jackson; and a sister, Lavern McMillion.

He is survived by his loving wife, Terri Jackson of Cotton Plant, AR; three brothers: Pastor Roy (Lillie) Jackson of Cotton Plant, AR; Donald (Doris) Ray Jackson of Rochester, NY; and Jimmy Lee Jackson of Augusta, AR; four sisters: Willie Mae Jackson and Lois (Harvey) Brown, both of Kansas City, MO; Mary Lou Shannon of Palmdale, CA; and Virginia (Victor) Collier of Little Rock, AR; along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 28, at 11:00 AM at Ash Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 114 McMurtry Street in Cotton Plant, with Pastor Roy Jackson serving as eulogist. Interment will follow at Morning Star Cemetery, located on Highway 17 North in Cotton Plant, under the direction of C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley (870) 589-5036 and Stuttgart (870) 672-7100.

For more information, please contact the funeral home via email at williamsfuneraldirectors2022@gmail.com or visit www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net.

The pallbearers are Mark Ivy, Sylvester Shockley, Joseph Dilworth Jr., Luther Rucker Sr., Nelson Hubert, Roy Conway, and Ricky Conway.