I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day…II Timothy 4:8

On November 22 2017, God called his servant, Mother Nellie Jackson to her eternal home. Mother Nellie Carter Jackson was born on July 31, 1931 in Belle Mina, Alabama. Her Father, the late Rev. James Samuel (Chuck) Carter and her mother, the late Harriet Loveland Carter, raised her up in a loving and Christian home. Her parents prepared her for a life of service. She accepted Christ at an early age, often following and accompanying her father as he ministered throughout the North Alabama Methodist Conference.

Mother Jackson was a devoted wife for over 35 years. She met the love of her life, Deacon Billy Joe Jackson in 1956 at the home of her sister, the late Annie Mae Townsend. They were united in marriage and afterwards she was a devoted wife to Deacon Jackson for over 35 years. Together they reared six children but she was mother to many children throughout our community. Deacon and Mother Jackson served St. James CP Church faithfully until his sudden passing in 1993. Mother Jackson continued to serve this church throughout her life.

Mother Jackson lived a full life. She was a servant of God, a Wife, Mother, Sister, Auntie, Gran-Gran, but to many she was just Mrs. Nellie. Mother Jackson loved to cook. Her breakfast was homemade biscuits, steak smothered in gravy and rice. She would have her children to make extra plates to take to the sick and shut in people in our neighborhood and anybody who came to her home always ate well. If she were still alive and in her own kitchen, she would still be cooking homemade cornbread, turnip greens, chicken and dressing, banana pudding, sweet potato pies, and fried okra. Every Sunday she would make breakfast and dinner before 8:00 am  so her family wouldn’t be late for Sunday school.

Mother Jackson was an amazing woman with extraordinary wisdom, knowledge and natural ability. She could sing, play the piano and she could even play sports. She served the children of East town Decatur by opening the Jessie Lewis Smith Park in the summer time. She was a natural athlete and taught us all to play softball. Even in her forties, Mother Jackson was able to coach the neighborhood team while she played several key positions. She could hit a softball out of the park and then walk around the bases. She also taught her kids to play checkers, ping pong, and card games like Bid Whist and Spades.

Mother Jackson was an accomplished musician. She started playing the piano before she could reach the piano pedals. She played for Jones Chapel United Methodist Church, Oakland United Methodist Church, Garner Memorial United Methodist Church, Union Grove Primitive Baptist Church, Kings Memorial United Methodist Church and St. James Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Often, Mother Jackson would leave home on Sunday morning for Sunday school and serve all day, before coming home to take care of her six children. She left some of that talent, drive, persistence and faithfulness in each member of her family.

Mrs. Jackson was a gifted educator. She loved to try new ideas out in her classroom, working to develop gifts in and talents to hundreds of the children that she cherished deeply. She taught children at the Sterrs Day Care and in the Head Start Program at Lakeview Elementary School from 1969 until 2001. She blessed children and parents throughout the city of Decatur. Her former students have gone on to be good citizens, scholars, to serve in the military and to serve in the Church.

She is survived by: six children: Quida Pryor (Jessie)of Houston, TX, Vanessa Jackson (Willie) of Decatur, AL, Dr. Stephanie May (Robert) of Conyers, GA, Billy Joe Jackson Jr (Shauna) of Decatur, AL, Dr. James Reginald Jackson of Madison, AL and Dr. Dutchess Jackson (Lamar)of New Orleans, LA, her beloved sister, Ella Louise Carter Mitchell (Isaiah)of Atlanta, GA and a sister-in-law Jane "Gal" Jackson of Decatur, AL, 13 grandchildren; Christopher (Arielle) Shackelford, Lauren Shackelford, Thomas Shackelford all of Houston, Texas, Orlando Jackson of Decatur, Alabama, William May, Stephen May  both of Atlanta, Georgia, Jarodious Willingham, Tiara Willingham, Parrish Willingham-Davis (AJ), Drake Jackson all of Decatur Alabama,  Whitney Jackson-Davis (Johnny), Joshua Rogers (Princess), Jalen Kelly all of Decatur, Alabama, 12 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins church members and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be 1:30 Sunday, November 26, 2017 at St. James CP Church in America with Pastor Michael Jones officiating and Inhumation in Sterrs Cemetery.  The body will lie in repose 30 minutes prior to funeral.  Public viewing will be Friday from noon to 6 and Saturday from 10-2 at Reynolds Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6:30-7:30 at the funeral home.