James Wesley Jackson

James Wesley Jackson, 91, passed away on April 26, 2017. He was born in Iredell County on December 2, 1925 to Zebedee and Bertha Wallace Jackson. He grew up in Winston-Salem, graduating from Mineral Springs High School and Draughn Business College. Mr. Jackson was a veteran of WWII, serving his country proudly in the US Army Air Forces from 1943-1946. He traveled extensively while working with the Inspector General's Office. Mr. Jackson was humbled to take the Triad Flight of Honor to Washington, DC with his two brothers, Red and Gray, in 2011. Mr. Jackson began a nine-year career with Southern Railway and then Central of Georgia Railway, where he was a traveling freight agent in Georgia and Alabama. He was married to Bettie Hastings and they had two children, Brenda and Wanda. In September 1963, he married Ruth Boyles Williams. Another daughter, Cindy, ""came with this deal"" as he wrote in his autobiographical notes. Mr. Jackson began his career with The Hastings Company in 1955, retiring in 1990. He learned all facets of the auto parts remanufacturing business, from payroll and billing to production. He became the plant manager and later the sales manager. As he had spent much of his adult life traveling, he finally found his niche as a sales representative for the company, where his territory covered much of North Carolina and parts of South Carolina. He truly enjoyed his last 15 years with the company, especially after Ruth retired in 1978 and could travel with him some to help with inventories and changeovers. Wesley and Ruth loved the beach and traveling together. Ruth usually instigated the adventures, but Wesley happily went along, skillfully smoothing the bumps in the road. They traveled the world with family and friends, but equally enjoyed hosting visitors at their beach home in Emerald Isle. Wesley was extremely caring, loyal and devoted during Ruth's illness in her final years, defining the life he had lived as a true gentleman. Mr. Jackson is predeceased by his parents, his brothers, H.Z. (Red) Jackson, Z.Gray Jackson and his sister, Geraldine Jones. Surviving children are, Brenda Roberts of Sacramento, CA, Wanda Marshall of Atwater CA and Cindy Williams (Jane Bailey) of Raleigh, NC. He also leaves four grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Hayworth Miller Funeral Home Chapel on Silas Creek Parkway on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 2:00pm with Pastor Hank Jackson officiating. Visitation with the family will be prior to the service 12:45-1:45pm. Entombment at Parklawn Memorial Park will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Jackson's memory may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 8300 Health Park, Suite 10, Raleigh, NC 27615. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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