Gerald Franklin Jackson

Gerald Franklin Jackson, 86, passed away Friday, May 17, 2019.  A Celebration of Life service will take place at First Baptist Church on Monday at 2:30 pm.

Gerald was born and raised in Lincolnton, NC. The son of Arthur and Bertie Jackson, he was a resident of Sanford for the last 49 years.  

Gerald, a graduate of Lincolnton High School in 1951, joined the U.S. Army as a security agent, where he served in Massachusetts for one year and Panama for two years.  Upon his discharge in 1957, he attended NCSU where he obtained a B.S. in Industrial Education.  

Following his graduation in 1961, Gerald joined General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) in Charlotte, where he met his future wife Starlene.  They married in Statesville, NC, on March 3, 1962.

In 1966, Gerald took a position as branch manager of Southern National Bank in Southern Pines, beginning a banking career that lasted until his retirement as a Vice President of BB&T in Sanford in 1995.  

Before his illness, Gerald was a very active member of his community and First Baptist Church.  He served as President of the Kiwanis Club, where he was recognized as “Kiwanian of the Year” and “Layman of the Year”, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and the NCSU Alumni Association Board of Directors.  He also served many years leading Junior Achievement activities. He volunteered at his church as a Deacon and along with Starlene, served as a member of the Welcome Committee, member of the Snack Supper Committee, and taught Royal Ambassadors and Sunday School. 

Gerald is survived by his wife of 57 years, Starlene; his daughter, Leslie and her husband, John Carney; his son, Greg; eight grandchildren, Alex, Dever, Julia, Jackson and Anna Carney, Hunter, Payton and Carson Jackson; brother-in-law, Bill Williams.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, May 20th, at 2:30 pm at First Baptist Church, preceded by a private burial.  Visitation will be held in the Fellowship

Hall of the church immediately following the service.  Gifts in Gerald’s memory may be made to First Baptist Church, 202 Summitt Drive, Sanford, NC, 27330.

Special thanks to: Dr. Robert McConville, Central Carolina Hospital third floor nurses, and Westfield Rehabilitation & Health Center, 300 unit nursing care personnel