Jimmy and Alice Jackson

On July 27, 2023, after sixty-nine years of loving marriage, Jimmy Jackson and his beloved wife Alice were taken together home to their Lord.

Their legacy is enriched in the love that lives on through their children, Tammy and Gregg; their six grandchildren, Jessica, Deena, Jeremy, Kyle, Seth and Ryan; and seven great grandchildren, Izzy, Paxton, Roman, Vera, Harper, Vivienne and James — with an eighth on the way due in August, a baby girl.

Jimmy, born November 1, 1931 to James and Allie Jackson, will be remembered as a devout Christian and lifelong passionate Florida Gator. A native resident of the state and graduate of the University of Florida, Jimmy proudly served in the United States Army after college, stationed in Germany as a First Lieutenant. Following his service, he became a successful car salesman, moving to Georgia in 1978 to accept a position at Smyrna’s Capital Cadillac. There, his knowledge, kindness and hospitality brought years of satisfied repeat customers immortalized in the words of his license plate: I SELL EM. Jimmy’s steadfast faith knit together each community and congregation he joined, as he welcomed all he met to gather in fellowship and blessing. Beyond his spiritual and professional lives, Jimmy’s innate ability as a handyman and artisan was put to work with grace and generosity in the homes of family and friends from coast to coast — as well as backstage at many a high school musical through the years.

Alice, born May 30, 1932 in Chicago to John and Susan Kira, immediately caught Jimmy’s eye during their teenage years when, working as a roller-skating car hop, she appeared at his window to take an order. Alice’s poise and balance on and off wheels sparked these high school sweethearts’ inseparable bond, leading to marriage in 1954, and a journey that took them from Hollywood, Florida to Marietta and later Cumming, Georgia. In addition to her wry humor and natural skill as a raconteur, Alice was known for her exceptional cooking including her legendary macaroni and cheese. Her soulful meals were the centerpieces of decades of happy gatherings, from Sunday church suppers to family Thanksgivings. Such was her renown, Alice also founded and ran her own successful catering business for many years so that anyone could enjoy her Johnny Marzetti, pierogis and rutabagas, dishes that brought smiling diners back for seconds time after time.

The consummate “Papa” and “Grandma,” Jimmy and Alice’s indivisible memory will be an everlasting blessing wherever family, friends and neighbors gather to rejoice in our shared human experience — and to enjoy a fresh pot of chicken and dumplings around the sacred warmth of the communal table.