Lt. Col. Collins Jackson, Ret.'s Obituary
Lt. Col. Collins Jackson (USAF Ret.) was born on May 7, 1923 in Itta Bena, Mississippi, the oldest son of Matt Jackson and Cora Green. His sharp mind and uncanny ability to find solutions others could not see, along with his outgoing personality, drew people to him. On July 16, 1950, he married his sweetheart, Mennie Ethel Sledge and their union was blessed with four children.
A veteran of World War II, Vietnam and the Korean conflict, his military career began in 1943 when he entered the US army. From his first posting throughout his final assignment as Air Force ROTC Commander at Mississippi Valley State College (sic University) he broke barriers and charted new roads in the US military, which paved the way for many successful young men and women who followed in his footsteps.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee Institute and was a proud member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
Deeply missing his sweetheart of 69 years, Collins departed this life peacefully on the morning of Saturday, April 17, 2021 to join her. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mennie, his two sisters Bonnie Sue Walker, O’Dean Bailey, and two of his brothers Walter Jackson and Clarence Jackson.
He is survived by his four children, Colonel Collins M. Jackson (Dianna), Retired U.S. Air Force, Doctor Deborah J. Jackson, Doctor Tennye R. Jackson, and Gregory L. Jackson, his brothers Mack Jackson (Sarah) and Joseph Jackson (Alice), four grandchildren, Simone R. Jackson, Mason D. Jackson, Alicia T. Gillespie (Kevin), Lauren D. Jackson, and a host of nieces and nephews and life-long friends
The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, April 27 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. Those that are attending are asked to adhere to the CDC guidelines of wearing a mask and practice social distancing. The funeral service will be privately held. Anyone wishing to watch the service may view the webcasting at the link below. http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/northstar/52494/hash:B56F5681E422D5D7
To view the tribute slideshow, click the link below:
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/LQFXQNG5C77GFL9L
To view the graveside service at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, click the following link:
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/JWFGC4JQZ5T54W9G
The burial will privately be held at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene in Memphis.
In lieu of sending flowers, we are requesting donations to:
Tuskegee Institute:
https://www.tuskegee.edu/support-tu/give
Or the Air Force Aid Society:
https://secure.afas.org/site/Donation2?df_id=1500&mfc_pref=T&1500.donation=form1
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