Joel Jackson

Rev. Joel Max Jackson, 79, of Ashville, Alabama, went to his Heavenly home on Friday, April 29, 2016, after a courageous battle with dementia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clara Bell Crump and A.G. Jackson, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Pearl Osborn and G.W. Boatwright, brother, Roy Glenn Jackson, and his three grandsons, Aaron Michael, Jonathan David and Andrew Joel Jackson. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Helen Boatwright Jackson, daughter, Shari Andrews; sons, J. Michael (Lyn), Timothy D. (Laura) and David R. Jackson; six wonderful granddaughters, eight delightful great grandchildren; brother, Terry Ross Jackson; sister-in-law, Sharyn Jackson; brother-in-law, Ronnie (Sandy) Boatwright; sister-in-law, Peggy Ellis; several nieces and nephews, one aunt, Janelle Taylor, numerous cousins and his dog, Sammi. Joel attended schools in Ashville and was a graduate of Baptist Bible Institute (now known as The Baptist College of Florida). He served in the U.S. Navy from June 1954 until September 1965. After several duty stations he was medically retired from the Navy and retired in Charleston, South Carolina. After being involved in a new church start in Charleston, he felt God calling him into the ministry. Upon his graduation from Baptist Bible Institute he faithfully served churches in Alabama and Georgia. He also served as the Director of Missions in Coffee County, Alabama. Upon his retirement from the Coffee County Baptist Association, he and Helen returned to his home place in St. Clair County, Alabama, where he enjoyed living on the backwater of the Coosa River. After he retired from the full time ministry he continued serving the Lord wherever a door for ministry was opened. He had a contagious zest for life and was an encouragement to others with his kind and gentle words as well as his bright smile. There will be a memorial service at Greensport Baptist Church, 9260 Shoal Creek Road, Ashville, Alabama 35953, Wednesday, May 4, at 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Visitation is Thursday, May 5, at 12:30pm-2:30pm at Eastside Baptist Church, 558 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham, Alabama 35235, with a Celebration of Life following at 3:00pm. Burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery in the Garden of Serenity. The services will be officiated by Rev. Ron Jackson and Rev. Paul Smith. Pall bearers will be his six granddaughters, Heather, Ashley, April, Kimberly, Kristen, Kayla and his nephews, Alan Jackson and Nickolaus Jackson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Alabama Baptist Children's Home, 1210 Friendship Road, Oxford, Alabama 36203 or to the St. Clair Baptist Association (for missions), P.O. Box 160, Ashville, Alabama 35953. Special thanks to his physician, Dr. Henry Frohsin, Jr., the Kirklin Neurology Group, his many caregivers and Life Choice Hospice Group. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.