Herbert Lee Jackson age 71, transitioned from his earthly home on January 10, 2021, at the Beacon Place at AuthoraCare/Collective located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and was granted his Heavenly BADGE joining God's Army. Herbert was born on October 26, 1949, in Florence, South Carolina to the late Welling and Mary Lunnon Jackson. Herbert attended the Greensboro City Schools and graduated from James Benson Dudley Senior High School in 1968. As a former athlete and die-hard sports fan, Herbert was an accomplished Football, Basketball, and track player. His awards included but were not limited to lettering twice in Football, selected as a recipient of the Coca Cola Gold Helmet Award for Defensive Player of the year 1967-68, selected as starting offensive guard during his freshman year, member of the State Championship Football Team 1966-67 (Black High School Football League), honors from the Greensboro Daily News 4A All-City Conference Football, and All-State Honors from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) as an Offensive Guard. As a result, he received a Grant-In-Aid Football Scholarship to attend Johnson C. Smith University. He was a dedicated and proud Alumni of Dudley High School and continued to serve as a proud member and Past President of the James B. Dudley Senior High School Hall of Fame/ Hall of Distinction Association. In the midst of his college years, he was called to serve our country for 10 years with the United States Air Force where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Throughout this period, he earned the Air Force Commendation Medal twice for superior performance, and noncommissioned officer of the quarter four times consecutively for outstanding job performance. As a result of his stellar years of loyalty to his country, Herbert separated with an Honorable Discharge in 1980. Herbert obtained his Associate's degrees in Criminal Justice and Juvenile Justice. After his tenure from the service he moved on and accepted a position with the Guilford County Sheriff's Department where he was sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff and was assigned to work for the Greensboro/High Point Airport Authority. In January 1983, he began employment with the Guilford County Sheriff Department in the Criminal Patrol Division. He was selected as both the Rookie of the Year and Deputy of the Year for 1984-85, promoted to Corporal (Training Officer) in 1984, Line Sergeant in 1986, Lieutenant in 1989, Captain as Commander of the Field Operations Division in 1993, and the rank of Major as Commander of Court Services Bureau (Assistant to the Sheriff) in 1999. This achievement made Herbert the second African American to attain this rank in the history of the Department. He retired after 30 years leaving a legacy of leadership and service with excellence. He was also a member of the Deputy Reserve. Herbert loved working for the Sheriff Department and was well respected in his many positions.

Herbert’s faith kept him grounded. He was an active member of Trinity AME Zion Church where he joined under the leadership of now Bishop Michael A. Frencher, Sr. With a desire to continue serving, he initially served as an Auxiliary Steward alongside one of his best buddies Everette James. These lifelong friends even joined the Church together, which was strategically how their wives wanted it to be. (The wives crafted a sneaky plan to be in the Couples Ministry together). After serving as an Auxiliary Steward, Herbert became an officer on the Steward Board. From there, under the leadership of our current pastor Rev. Dr. Daran H. Mitchell, he placed Herbert on the Trustee Board because he felt his skills and knowledge would be better utilized whenever his health permitted. As a Trustee, Herbert provided leadership for several projects such as the Graham Road Parsonage Project, and member of the Safety and Security Resource Team for the Church. Herbert was also instrumental in developing policies and procedures that were beneficial to the operational needs of the church. He formed a true Brotherhood with the James Varick Men’s Ministry and he embraced mentoring the male youth of the church. One fact that some people may or may not have known was that Herbert wasn’t a songbird however he wasn’t ashamed to sing songs of praise in the congregation on Sunday Mornings and the male chorus on men's day where he formed new friendships. Herbert was a devoted family man, a loving Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Brother In-law, and Friend. He married his beautiful soulmate, Ojetter Reeder, on April 22 and 1978 which was a moment in time where he decided to share his life and heart with his true love. To this union, the couple had 2 children Kevin and Lauren. Herbert valued education and encouraged his children to do the same. Herbert was extremely proud to have two graduates of NCA&T State University. Their children were their absolute joy and they blessed Herbert and Ojetter with 5 Beautiful Grandchildren. Arian, Amani, Ava, Autumn, and his 1st Grandson Justine Jr. He valued being surrounded by his family and friends, especially his Grandchildren. Herbert was a socially active man who was involved in his community as well as the sheriff's department after retirement. In his community, he served as a Mason of the St, John Lodge #12. Herbert committed himself to help youth through counseling and mentoring. Furthermore, he would accomplish this by visiting schools and attending youth meetings for motivational speaking engagements including the Girl Scouting program at Trinity AME Zion Church. In addition, he supported several of the young members of the Sheriff Department Explorer Post to win scholarships and awards by teaching them job preparation skills. He would also share his favorite poem ``If” by Rudyard Kipling which spoke on how to win in life, and be an overall good human being. Words that spoke truth to the life he lived. Herbert Lee Jackson is survived by his wife Ojetter Reeder Jackson of 42 Years; his son Kevin Lee Jackson( Fiancée` Renada Dobbins) of Greensboro, his daughter Lauren Bonner (Husband Justine Bonner Sr.) of Greensboro, Brother David Jackson (Wife Joyce Jackson), Brother Timothy Jackson, Brother Micheal Jackson, and Sister Joyce Johnson ( Late Jessie Johnson) as well as a host of nieces and nephews and other special people whom he impacted. He is preceded in death by his parents Welling and Mary Jackson, Sister Betty Matier, Sister Cassandra Jackson, Sister Ida Griffin, and Brother Welling Jackson Jr. all of Greensboro North Carolina.

Special Thanks to Hospice and Beacon Place for their excellent care service.

A public viewing will be held Wednesday, January 13, 2021, from 12 pm-2 pm in the Cassie Coote-Brown Chapel of Perry J. Brown Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held Thursday, January 14, 2021, at Lakeview Memorial Park in Greensboro, NC.