On Sunday night, November 23, 2025, God in His infinite wisdom sent His angels to escort
Elizabeth Jackson home to eternal rest.
Elizabeth Jackson was born on February 23, 1930, in Macon, Georgia, the daughter of the late
George Swan, Sr. and Mary Lee Swan. She began her early education in Macon, Georgia. As
the family story goes, she was discovered by her future husband, the late Rev. Curtis Jackson,
Jr., while working at a pickle factory, an encounter that began a lifelong love. They were united
in marriage in November 1949.
The couple later relocated to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where they began their family and
welcomed four children. After several years, they moved to the Bronx, New York, where they
added four more children. Eventually, they settled in Long Island, New York, where they
continued building the Jackson family, welcoming an additional six children and raising a
grandson as their own.
While lovingly raising her family, Elizabeth also worked at the Suffolk State Developmental
Center for 25 years before retiring in 1990. Upon retirement, she returned to Spartanburg, where
she spent the remainder of her days. Elizabeth opened her heart and home to children in need and
was known for never letting anyone leave hungry. She was a member of the “Feed the Children”
where she was able to provide funds to feed children all over the world.
Elizabeth was a proud member of the Eastern Star Morning Star Chapter No. 117 in
Amityville, New York. She faithfully served alongside her husband as First Lady of Greater
Zion Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In her later years, she became a devoted
member of Macedonia Baptist Church.
Elizabeth had a natural gift for entrepreneurship. While living in Long Island, she opened one of
the first African American restaurants in the area “Lizzie’s Kitchen” serving soul food and
showcasing her love for baking. She was also part of the radio program “Reach Out Gospel
Time” with her husband, Rev. Curtis Jackson. Through this ministry, they traveled across the
country hosting gospel programs featuring some of the most renowned gospel singers in the
world. At these events, she continued to bless others with her cooking and baking. After retiring
and returning to Spartanburg, she carried that business spirit forward and opened the “Jackson
Variety Store”.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her loving husband, Rev. Curtis Jackson, Jr.; three sons:
Cornelius Jackson (Anna), Jackie Nathaniel Jackson, and Frederick Lee Jackson; her father
George Swan, Sr.; her mother Mary Lee Swan; and her brother George Swan, Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memory:
• Daughter Mary Veronica Jackson, Spartanburg, SC
• Son Doctor Carl Jackson (Madelyn), Hamden, CT
• Daughter Cynthia Denise Jackson, Spartanburg, SC
• Son Stanley “Doc” Jackson (Marsha), Spartanburg, SC
• Son Zachary Len Jackson, Charlotte, NC

• Son Jeffrey Ellis Jackson, Lawrenceville, GA
• Son Glen Jackson (Allison), Jonesboro, GA
• Daughter Melinda “Mency” Jackson Holmes (Willie), Belmont, NC
• Son Christopher Jackson (Donna), Long Island, NY
• Daughter Pendoria Jackson, Long Island, NY
•Grandson/ raised as son Lil Jackie Jackson, Spartanburg, SC
• Son Spurgeon Jackson, Long Island, NY
Brother in law, Stinson Jackson, Georgia
Sister in law Lois Jackson, California
She also leaves to cherish:
28 Grandchildren, 30 Great Grand Children, and 2 Great Great Grandchildren, and a host of
nieces and nephews and children from different neighborhoods that she housed and cared for
when needed.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at The John Stinson Woodward Memorial Chapel, 602 Howard St., Spartanburg, SC. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Memorial Gardens.