Herschel Elwood Jackson Jr.

Herschel Elwood Jackson Jr. (49) departed this life on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville, Arkansas. He was born on January 14, 1975, in Searcy, Arkansas. He spent his childhood following in his daddy’s footsteps, farming, working cows, picking up rocks and planting the garden. He was momma’s baby boy and was defended by his sisters, but he was not immune to momma’s wooden spoon when he needed it. When he was 5 he ran through the squash patch to avoid a whooping from momma. He was allergic to bees and Kerri thought that he often milked it with momma to get out of chores. He and Teresa would argue over who was the better tractor driver. One time when he was 6 years old, he hid in the backseat of Tammy’s car and yelled surprise as she was driving down the driveway. His uncle Troy bought him his first toy Ford tractor and as an uncle himself he bought two for granny and papa’s house, so the great grandsons were not stuck playing Barbies with the girls. As a teen, he loved to secretly take the old Chevy Luv and do burnouts on the old wooden bridge. His first dog was an Australian Shepherd, named Kelly. Momma and daddy bought him his first horse and surprised him with a saddle that brought him to tears. He learned to rope at Hilltop Arena in Pleasant Plains and won his first buckle there. He continued his love for farming by working for Taylor Farms. In 1995, he married his love, Sherry. They had their ups and downs, but God brought them through those tough times and brought restoration. He met lifelong friends, Scott “Chunk” Neighbors, and Steve Haile at Huff Rodeo Arena. His friendship revolved around fishing, deer/hog hunting, and team roping. In 1996, Lane was born. Elwood was scared to be a dad and cried saying “he couldn’t do it.” Lane became his best friend. Some of Lane’s favorite memories of his dad is when Elwood drove from Texas to take him to the AJRA competition, and Lane won the finals-SR header of the year and Elwood whooped, hollered, and cried. He was so proud of him. Once Lane was at Steve’s practicing on TY when the horse got tangled in the rope and bucked Lane off. Elwood told him to suck it up and get back on and did not know Lane’s elbow was broke, so he felt really bad for saying that. Hunting and fishing were some of their best times. Elwood teased Lane about not catching anything on the buzz bait and he did, and once Elwood wrecked his boat on the Cache River and Lane had to come to the rescue and drag him back to the boat ramp. Starting the dump truck business brought them even closer as the work on the fixer upper, the Silver Bullet or Gray Ghost as he called it, depending on the situation. They were in the process of restoring a racecar together and Lane intends to finish what his dad started. He worked over the road trucking and the gas and oil industry before starting his own company, Rafter J. He team roped in his free time and won his first saddle at the White County Fairgrounds. His many adventures included racing, camping, cooking for a crowd, going to sale barns and auctions, playing cards, griping about kayaking with Sherry, duck hunting, mudding, and side by side riding. In 2001, Chaney came along. Elwood said, “what am I gonna do with a girl?” She was instantly his princess and had him wrapped around her little finger. Chaney’s love for horses made him get her the best for fear she could get hurt. He hauled her horse to compete and to trail ride. Their favorite times together were spent fishing. Her favorite memories include the time her daddy bought her a new bait caster for her 16th birthday. He told her “Sis you might not catch any or might get hung up.” She caught seven and he caught 3. He always took her picture with her catch and played the song “Just Fishing.” One time they were sledding, and Elwood tried his best to throw her and could not. Then Chunk tried it and threw her and she went skidding across the ice and knocked Elwood’s legs right out from under him. They would go frog gigging and she could catch them with her hands, and he would say “Chaney, you’re the son I never had.” In 2023, Paisley Ray came along. Elwood did not take Chaney’s pregnancy very well and said, “How could you be so careless?” But as soon as he saw Paisley, he said she was the best careless mistake Chaney ever made. Paisley was Pa’s girl. She could change his ole gruff mood with one look. He thought she hung the moon and stars. In the end, the kids were most important to him and Sherry. They were his life. His family and friends were his world. Although he was raised in church, it wasn’t until 2021 that he fully dedicated his life to the Lord and we know without a shadow of a doubt he is with God. He is survived by, his loving wife, Sherry Jackson, his daughter, Chaney (Hunter) Williams and their children Paisley Rae and one on the way, his son, Lane Jackson and his daughter Brayleigh Nicole, his parents, Herschel Elwood Jackson Sr and Nola May Jackson, his sisters, Tammy (Tim) Corley, TJ (Tamara) Jackson-Mitchell, Kerri (Harold “Peanut”) Passmore, his nieces and nephews, Joshua (Katie) Corley and their children, Evie, Nola, and Henry, Jarred (Cora) Corley and their daughter, Shiloh, Bryant Dugger, Amber (Jordan) Feagin and their children, Chloe, Lily, and Oliver, Ashley (Lucas) Layrock and their children, Kenna, Emma, Laila, Tessa, and Gus, Cassie (Zach) Holt and their children Cooper and one on the way, Austin (Savannah) Passmore and a child on the way, Dustin (Corrie) Gillham and their children, Katie, Joshua, Macey, and Zoey. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Velvet Ridge Church of God with Brother Bobby Majors and Brother Doug Swindle officiating. Visitation will be held prior to services beginning at 12:00 p.m. with a remembrance conducted by Bruce Mason and Peanut Passmore. Interment will follow services at Velvet Ridge Cemetery. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are, John Murray, Brandon Walker, Coy Gordon, Robert Guadamuz Jr, Scott “Chunk” Neighbors, Steve Haile, Jared Ganus, and Chaise Lacey. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home Bald Knob – Judsonia.

Herschel Elwood Jackson Jr.

January 14, 1975 - February 13, 2024