Jayne Jackson

Jayne Harris Jackson, age 66, a longtime resident of Troy, Alabama, passed away Friday, June 18, 2021. A funeral service will be held Monday, June 21, 2021, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Green Hills Funeral Home with Pastor Buddy Hood officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Jayne came into this world in fast-paced motion ─ always present, always moving, always working. She discovered her desire for exploration early in life when her family briefly relocated from Pike County, Alabama, to Norfolk, Virginia. They returned home to settle in Goshen, Alabama, where she went on to attend Goshen High School. She was an accomplished student, feature twirler with the majorettes, and a percussionist with the band. She graduated in May, Class of 1973; launched her career as a judicial assistant for the State of Alabama under Judge Riley Green that June; and married her sweetheart, Joe Lance Jackson, Jr., in July, all in a summer whirlwind just as she liked.

Jayne nurtured a home full of unfeigned sentiments, boundless love, twinkling Christmas spirit, a few Kenny Rogers songs, and highly sought-after servings of her unrivaled family recipe for Southern cornbread dressing. She dedicated the same heartfelt commitment to her work, serving with the state for 37 years before retiring and embarking on her greatest adventures. She and Joe set out to tour the world, and they did it right, tackling most of the North American states and many countries abroad. She often recalled a special affection for the glamour of Manhattan and the tides of Hawaii, or her 28 days cruising and touring the Mediterranean, and the opportunity to be “Nan” and share her love of travel with her granddaughter. Jayne spearheaded her church’s annual Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox ministry, collecting more than 7,000 shoeboxes over 20+ years and touching countless lives around the globe with the Gospel of Jesus.  Jayne was an unwavering Crimson Tide fan, attending all but two of the Saban-era National Championship games, and always cheering, even throughout the bitter losses. Just like the quintessential symbol of houndstooth she loved, Jayne was a classic and cherished spirit, warm and familiar, smart and steady. She set-out to live, and live she did—well.

Mrs. Jackson is survived by her husband of 48 years, Joe Lance Jackson, Jr.; daughter, Julie Jackson Peel (Jason); granddaughter, Erin Peel; sister, Mary Curtis; brother, Richard “Buddy” Harris, Jr.; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Edwin “Ed” and Dixie Hope Harris; sister, Dorothy “Dot” Gainey; and brothers, William “Bill” Harris, James “Jimmy” Harris, Ralph “Skipper” Harris, Robert “Bobby” Harris, and Julian “Buck” Harris.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in her honor to Samaritan’s Purse - Operation Christmas Child (PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or samaritanspurse.org). Friends and family can sign the guestbook online at www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net. The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Jackson family.