Clinton, MS
Funeral Home
Visitation
Service
Graveside Celebration of Life service, Section 12, Lakewood Memorial Park, 6000 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, MS, March 14, 2026, 11 am.
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on March 11, 2026, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Colonel Ralph E. Jackson, age 92, Clinton, MS who had served in HQ State Area Command has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior. Frank had worked fulltime at the USPFO-MS for many years then transferred to NGB until his retirement.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, visitation and service details:
Ralph E. Jackson, 92, of Clinton, passed away peacefully at his home on March 11, 2026. He was born June 23, 1933, in Crystal Springs, MS, to Matthew and Frances Jackson. He married Betty Valentine in 1956, and they were blessed with two children, Melody and Trisha.
Ralph retired after working 45 years as a computer specialist for the Department of the Army, Washington, DC. He retired from military service after 43 years with the rank of Colonel.
A skilled pianist and music lover, Ralph served as church pianist at Southside Baptist Church, Jackson, for 22 years, and as music director for several years. He later served as pianist and organist in several churches in the Washington, DC, and Jackson areas.
Ralph enjoyed genealogical research for many years. While living in Washington, DC, he served as the treasurer, and then president, of the National Genealogical Society. He was elected fellow and life member in 1995, receiving the award at the National Genealogical Conference in San Diego, CA.
In his retirement years, Ralph enjoyed maintaining his “immaculate” yard and spending time with family. He was also a volunteer fixture at the Clinton library during tax season, preparing returns for many Clinton and Jackson area residents.
Ralph is survived by his daughter and her husband, Trisha and Dave Qualls of Clinton, brother, Frank Jackson of Terry, and brother-in-law, Sam Valentine of Carthage. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, daughter, Melody, sister, Juanita McCleland, and brother, Earle Jackson.
The family is deeply grateful to Helen Opiela (Home Instead) for the compassionate and loving care she provided to Ralph for over 3 years. The family expresses an appreciative thank you to Baptist Hospice (Tamika, Jennifer, Amanda, Linda, Bro. Johnny) for their guidance, care, and support throughout the past year.
A graveside Celebration of Life service will be held in Section 12 at Lakewood Memorial Park, 6000 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, Mississippi 39209, on March 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Building Fund at Morrison Heights Baptist Church, 3000 Hampstead Bld, Clinton, MS 39056 or at https://morrisonheights.org/give/