“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” — Phillipians 4:13

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 22, 2013 at 11 a.m. in Triumph Missionary Baptist Church in Poplarville, Miss., for the Rev. Carl Ezekiel Jackson, who passed away Thursday, November 14, 2013 in Wayne General Hospital.

The Rev. Robert Earl Pittman will officiate at the service. The Rev. Tommy Hart is Pastor.

Rev. Carl Ezekiel Jackson was born December 30, 1955 to the late Rev. Cornelius Frank and Dora Mae Silas Jackson in Waveland, Miss., on the campus Gulfside United Methodist Assembly.

At an early age, he joined Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Tylertown, Miss., under the leadership of his father. His love and commitment to the United Methodist Church remained steadfast until his death. On November 29, 1980, Rev. Jackson was united in marriage to Paulette Tillman forming a beautiful union on this day with three lovely children.

Early education was at Tylertown High School and he continued his education attending Pearl River Community College, the University of Southern Mississippi and continuing on to receive his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1999.

In 1984, a call from God was placed on his life and he entered into the ministry. Ministerial education was received from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. and Duke University in Durham, N.C. The Rev. Jackson became an Associate Member of the Mississippi Annual Conference in 2009. Throughout his service in the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, Rev. Jackson served as Pastor of Mt. Carmel and St. Luke United Methodist Church in Waynesboro, Miss.

Rev. Jackson found joy in singing, fishing and spending time with grandchildren. He indeed was a people person.

Rev. Jackson was preceded in death by — in addition to his parents — two brothers: Willie C. and Frank Wayne Jackson; and one sister, Jacqueline Quinine.

He leaves to celebrate his life: a loving and supportive wife of 32 years, Paulette Jackson; one daughter, Miranda (Kevin) Davis  of New Llano, La.; two sons,  Rashad Tillman of Meridian, Miss., and Byron (Arielle) Tillman of Cordova, Tenn.; one god-daughter, Jeneane (Demetrius) Bland of Meridian;  nine Grandchildren; three god-grandchildren; four sisters: Juanita Franklin, Foxworth, Miss., Alice Jackson-Wright and Irene James of Hattiesburg, Miss., and Ruth Clarie Jackson-Hayes of Boise, MD;  three special aunts: Vernell Cohn and Vertis Monnie of New Orleans, La., and Ruth Smith of Poplarville, Miss.; and a special uncle, Frank (Barbara) Silas of Tampa, Fla. A host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. only. Interment will be in the Rose Park Cemetery.

Entrusted to Brown’s Funeral Home of  Picayune, Miss., (601) 798-4469.

brownsfuneralhome@ymail.com