MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Williams, Barnett, Barrett, Berry, Blackmon, Blackwell, Blount, Boyd, Branning, Brumfield, Bryan, Butler, Carter, Chassaniol, Chism, DeBar, DeLano, England, Fillingane, Frazier, Harkins, Hickman, Hill, Hopson, Horhn, Jackson, Johnson, Jordan, Kirby, Ladner, McCaughn, McLendon, McMahan, Michel, Norwood, Parker, Parks, Polk, Rhodes, Robinson, Seymour, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Sparks, Suber, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Turner-Ford, Whaley, Wiggins, Younger
A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE SINCEREST SYMPATHY OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE SURVIVING FAMILY OF FORMER MISSISSIPPI SENATOR GARY JACKSON ON HIS PASSING AND COMMENDING HIS SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY AND HIS STATE.
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of former State Senator Gary Jackson, 73 years old, on April 13, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Senator Jackson, a Baptist minister, was born on September 11, 1950. He was first elected to serve District 15 in the Mississippi Senate in November 2003, and was subsequently reelected in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019, serving 17 years. His tenure was marked by dedication and service to his constituents in Oktibbeha, Choctaw, Webster, Winston, Calhoun, Montgomery and Attala Counties; and
WHEREAS, Senator Jackson's alma maters include East Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State University; and
WHEREAS, Senator Jackson started out with a career in banking and held many positions during that time. While moving up in this career, he received the call to become a minister. Gary eventually started ministering full-time. Some of the churches where he pastored include Providence Church near Weir, Mississippi, Kilmichael Baptist Church, in Kilmichael, Mississippi, where he pastored from 2005 until around 2017, and Bethsaida Baptist Church in French Camp, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Senator Jackson chaired the Senate Business and Financial Institutions Committee, as well as, County Affairs and various other committees, and was active in representing the banking and business industry in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, he was a dedicated member of the Starkville Rotary Club and the Kilmichael Lions Club. Senator Jackson is survived by his wife, Dianne; sons, Corbett (Tammy) Jackson and David (Stacie) Perry; mother, Sara (Wylie) Jackson; brothers, Tom Jackson and Randall Jackson; sisters, Beverly Rives and Aurie James; eight grandchildren, Sara Jackson, Megan Jackson, Chase Jackson, Anna Jackson, Kyla McKnight, Colin Perry, Cody Perry, and Kambrie Perry; and great-grandchild, Cora Beth Crocker; and
WHEREAS, Senator Jackson's impact on Mississippi politics will be remembered, and his service remains an integral part of the state's history. Gary served as a leader and mentor. He lectured on ethics, integrity, civility, courtesy and adherence to the Golden Rule. Senator Jackson's life honored both the Mississippi Legislature and this great state that he loved and served:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the sincerest sympathy of the Mississippi Senate to the surviving family of former Mississippi Senator Gary Jackson on his passing and commend his service to his community and his state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of former Senator Gary Jackson, forwarded to Senator Jackson's home church and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.