Zachary T. Jackson, Sr.

Zachary T. Jackson, Sr. was born on November 15, 1928 in Abbeville, SC to the late Eugene and Ruth Jackson. He transitioned to his heavenly reward on September 26, 2021 in Farmville, Virginia.

Zachary graduated from Abbeville City Training High School where he was a member of the basketball team. In his early years, he worked with his father, who was a brick mason and then as a barber. In 1950, he married the love of his life, Thomesena, and was also drafted into the United States Army. Zachary served his country as a Machine Gunner with the 25th Division, 14th Infantry in the Korean War. After the military, the couple relocated to New York. They initially lived in Brooklyn and eventually purchased a home and settled in St. Albans, NY. Zachary had a long and successful career with the Veterans Administration in Brooklyn, NY. He received numerous awards for exemplary service and worked his way up to senior executive; he retired in 1987.

He never met a stranger and was dedicated to improving the community in which he lived. Zachary served as a Trustee at Mercy Seat Baptist Church, where he became a member after moving to Farmville in 1991. He was recognized by his church family for dedicated service during Family & Friends Day 2003. He was a member of many groups over the years such as the Community Civic Association of Hollis, Queens, and The Democratic Party of Virginia where he received the 1999 Grassroots Award; he also served as a Board member of the Prince Edward County Department of Social Services.

He served as a commander of his VFW post where he was extremely active for the last 20 years and was integral in getting speed limits posted and having lines painted on the winding roads heading toward his home for safety of all traveling.

Zachary enjoyed traveling the world with his wife and being in the presence of his family. As a self-proclaimed “country boy”, he enjoyed tending his vegetable garden and sharing the bounty with friends and neighbors, and making every requested change to the flower beds his wife planted. He was always proud of the results. In addition, he shared his love for fishing and bowling. He always had a current fishing license and was an avid bowler along with his wife. They were members of the Prince Edward County Bowling League until his knees would no longer allow.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Thomesena Jackson, brothers, Eugene and Roosevelt, sister, Ethel, his daughters Linda and Veronica, and grandson Terence. He leaves to mourn, his sons Zachary Jr. (Wanda) and Bobby Crosby (Shirley); sister Ruth Ivory; brother-in-law, Stephen (Diane); grandchildren Reggie (Audrey), Rasan, Sakina, Shaniqua, Candace, Willa, Courtney; special niece Latisha; great-grandchildren Tajee, Tanaya, Ryder, and Ryan; friend Mary Gould and a host of loving family and friends who will miss him dearly.

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