“Those things which ye have both learned, and received, andheard, and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you”(Philippians 4:19).

Services for the Rev. John Wesley “J.W.” Jackson, of BogueChitto, are 2 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at New Zion Union MissionaryBaptist Church in Bogue Chitto with burial in Norfield Cemetery inBogue Chitto. Williams Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is Friday from 1 until 6 p.m. at the funeralhome.

The Rev. Jackson, 91, died Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at hisresidence. During his period of illness, he always prayed andcalled upon the Lord. His favorite phrase was “God, you have thepower!” He was born in Norfield on Dec. 15, 1915, to Walter andVictoria Ratcliff Jackson. After living in New Orleans, La., andChicago, Ill., the family returned to Norfield and later moved toBogue Chitto.

He was called to preach in 1970. The Rev. Jackson said, “Godviewed me as His instrument.” He was guided by the words in Joshua1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; Benot frightened, neither be dismayed; For the Lord your God is withyou wherever you go.” His ministerial duties began with singingGod’s praises with a quartet in Pike County. Being a daily andextensive reader of the Bible and other religious books, heaccepted the positions at New Zion Union M.B. Church as teacher ofBaptist Youth Training Union (BYTU), Adult Sunday School teacher,Sunday School Superintendent, member of the Deacon Board, and asmoderator of the Lincoln and Adjoining Counties Association.

He was a retired minister of Springfield M.B. Church and Mt.Olive M.B. Church. Many souls entered the church during his 32-yearministry. During those years, his leadership produced preachers,evangelists, teachers and deacons. The Rev. Bruce Smith and thelate Evangelist Dorothy Porter were nurtured through his ministryat Mt. Olive M.B. Church. Evangelist Eloise Bracey served with himas his assistant at Springfield M.B. Church. The Rev. Jacksonretired from preaching at the age of 85, only in words, but not indeeds. He was a member of New Zion Union M.B. Church.

As a common laborer, he worked for many years as “checker” forHickman’s Pulpwood Industry; mortar maker at Smith ConstructionCo.; cook at Hickman’s Circus; skinner of utility poles; manager ofa teen center; employee of the Illinois Central Railroad; checkerat Host Cold Storage in Illinois; chef on highway constructionworksite; and a truck driver (deliver) for C.B. Perkins Hardware,from where he retired.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his siblings, UlyssesDoyle Sr., Oscar L. Jackson, Bobby Jackson, Lorenzo Jackson,Freddie Jackson, Edward C. Jackson, Jeannette Jackson Brown andCarolyn Jackson Wallace; and his niece, Carmette Slaughter.

Survivors are his wife, Lillie McMorris Jackson, of BogueChitto; his stepdaughter, Della R. Posey, of Jackson; the childrenhe reared, Ulysses Doyle Jr., of Bogue Chitto, and Peggy JoyceMiller, of Brookhaven; his sisters, Dorothy Johnson Jackson, ofBenton Harbor, Mich., and Annie P. Jackson, of Los Angeles, Calif.;his brother, Walter Jackson Jr., of Pensacola, Fla.; his brother-and sister-in-law, Melton and Mary McMorris, of Bogue Chitto; hissisters-in-law, Juanita Labat, of Los Angeles, and Bertha Doyle, ofChicago; his nephew, Victor Doyle, of Detroit, Mich.; and a numberof nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

“I have lived fully and beautifully and well. Don’t mourn for mebut take the gift I have given you of my love and run with it withenthusiasm and joy and the expectation that these are the joyfulexperiences of life, for this is what God created us to do.”