Emmitt Jackson Jr.

Emmitt Jackson Jr. was born in Lake Village, Arkansas on March 16, 1967 to the Late Emmitt Jackson Sr and Edna Mae McCoy. He later moved to Chicago, IL where he attended elementary and Jr. High School. Emmitt returned to Lake Village and graduated from Lakeside High School in Lake Village Arkansas, Class of 1987. Emmitt departed this life, April 9, 2021 at Grandview Medical Center, Birmingham, AL.

During his high school years, Emmitt accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and united with the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Lake Village, AR. He lettered in three sports: Basketball (forward #52), football (Tight-End #80 all-district), and track (pole vault). He also was the president of the drama club. He was casted as “Tin Man” in The Wizard of Oz, and “Steve Jenkins” in Lucky, Lucky Hudson and the 12th Street Gang. After graduating High School, he enlisted in the United States Army. He proudly served his country for eleven years as an Automated Logistical Specialist (92A) and obtained the rank of Sergeant. His military travel allowed him to make many life-long friends while stationed in Fort Bragg, N.C, Vilseck, Germany, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Pusan, Republic of Korea, and Fort Lee, VA. Some of his military highlights were member of the All Army basketball team and played with the 74th Signal “Quad City” semi-professional basketball team in Korea. While in Vilseck, he was appointed to the in-house compliance inspection team by the Post Commander. Emmitt deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield, 1991. He was a member of The Free and Accepted Masonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Fred E. Haverly Lodge No. 138. Emmitt graduated from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri with an associate degree in General Studies (1996) and a Bachelor of Arts in History (2005). He went on to complete a Master of Healthcare Administration with a Gerontology Concentration from the University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona (2012).

Emmitt married his high school sweetheart, Pena Harris, on June 17, 1988. To this union, three children were born. The household was never quiet as it served as a home base to many godchildren and friends over the years. Where he and Pena imparted their love for Christ and the importance of spirituality. Emmitt worked as a leader, manager, and coach within a variety of industries - education, retail, medical, and logistics. He worked with passion! He was self-motivated and goal oriented always striving to be the best. Until his death, he was the Operations Manager for Postal Fleet Services, Birmingham, AL. Emmitt was an avid Bruce Lee fan, which fueled his passion for the martial arts. He achieved his second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, black belt in Ninjutsu, and formally studied Jeet Kune Do. Anyone who ever met him knew of his love for the Windy City. He was a diehard fan of all things Chicago – The Bulls, The Bears, The Cubs, the pizza, hotdogs, Portillo’s Restaurant and Christmas in Chicago. When he moved to Hoover, he became a big University of Alabama Crimson Tide fan. He was a giver of random superhero facts. One of the family dogs was even named Krypto. Through his kids and God children, he created the next generation of comic book and animated movie fans. DC comics were over Marvel and Superman above all other heroes which is why he was affectionally called “Superman”! He loved history. He loved celebrating birthdays and holidays and the accompanying traditions were to be respected by all. He collected family recipes and practiced them until they were mastered. He was a student of genealogy and the best debater. He respected all genres of music but Hip–Hop was his bread and butter.

Emmitt is proceeded in death by his parents, adoptive father, Alantha Wade, and grandparents, McKinley Jackson Sr, Hazel Reed, Walter McCoy Sr, and Dallas Martin.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years Pena Harris Jackson, who was the love of his life. His children, Ariana (Philip) Pellegra, Emmitt Jackson III, and Zaria Jackson all of Birmingham, AL. His grandchildren Aaleah Jackson (6) and Halle Pellegra (9 months). Adoptive mother, Lorraine Wade of Lake Village, AR. Mother-in-law, Rose Harris of Hoover, AL. Eleven siblings: Linda Jean Jackson, Judy (Rodney) Jackson, Carla (Albert) Smith, Jacqueline McCoy, Rickey (Larissa) McCoy, Cassandra Jackson, Jerry Jackson, Emmitt Jackson all of Chicago, IL, Melissa Hazel Jackson of Little Rock, AR , Rosetta Jones of Eudora, AR, and Christopher A. Jackson Sr. of Conway, AR. His adoptive Siblings: Howard Wade and Jerome (Jenny) Wade of Las Vegas, NV, Billy Wade of Dallas, TX, John L. (Linda) Wade of Sherwood, AL, Ronnie (Topeaka) Wade of Maumelle, AR, and Billy Wade Jr of Conway, AR; and a host of Godchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

A visitation for Emmitt will be held Wednesday, April 14, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124. A visitation & funeral service with military honors will occur Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM with service at 11:00 AM.

A visitation will be held at Central Community Church at 10:00 AM. A Celebration of life for Emmitt Jackson Jr. will occur Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Central Community Church, 402 Annex Street, Lake Village, Arkansas followed by a committal service at New Cemetery, St. Luke Road, Lake Village, Arkansas.

A live stream of the service on Thursday, April 15, 2021 will be held on the Southern Heritage Funeral Home Facebook Page at 10:45 am. The family asks that you practice social distancing and wear a mask.