Columbus says goodbye and celebrates District Attorney Stacey Jackson at funeral service

Dozens of friends, family and colleagues filed through the doors of Cascade Hills Thursday afternoon to pay their final respects to Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Stacey Jackson.

Jackson died on May 5 after battling an illness after serving nearly two years in office after being appointed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.

Local politicians, judges, lawyers, officials and law enforcement attended the service.

Shortly before the service, family and friends paid their last respects to Jackson as he lay in purple suit, blue shirt and purple tie with the sharp vibrant flair his suits brought to the courtroom.

Soon, the casket lid would slowly close and white and yellow flowers with a purple ribbon would lie over Jackson’s casket as the service began.

Multiple speakers stood up before the grieving masses and shared stories of Jackson they held dear.

Superior Court Judge Gil McBride said you could see when Jackson had an “ah ha” moment in the court room, which was typically followed by Jackson with pen and pad in hand writing furiously.

He said then Jackson would take the podium to cross-examine the “unfortunate soul” sitting on the witness stand. The crowd began to laugh, finding a moment of humor in a somber setting.

McBride touched on the success of Jackson’s legal career and spoke of Jackson’s pride in his family.

McBride addressed Jackson’s sons and said they were their father’s joy. He continued, “His joy when he spoke of you was contagious and it was visible.”

He ended his remarks by thanking the Jackson family and said the community is in their debt for sharing Jackson.

Acting District Attorney Don Kelly said, “Stacey was my friend and a part of my family.”

Kelly continued that Jackson was everyone’s friend stating, “He wanted to help people.”

While working with Jackson in the DA’s office, he said they all hated losing, but Jackson hated losing more than anybody.

Kelly said Jackson helped a lot of people and said he can only hope he can touch a fraction of the people’s lives that Jackson touched in his career.

Travis Chambers, a friend of Jackson’s and member of Omega Psi Phi, said, “To have a friend is to have one of the sweetest and dearest gifts that life can bring.”

Chambers reiterated Jackson’s pride in his sons and said Jackson knew that fatherhood was his highest accomplishment.

Chambers said Jackson was funny and that he was always thinking of something funny to say . He also had a habit of telling “stale jokes.”

He said, after Jackson entered a room and said hello, Jackson would always say something funny that would make everyone in the room smile.

Chambers said Jackson never complained and focused on counting his blessings and not his burdens.

Lastly, Tia Arnold, a family member, said there aren’t enough words to describe the man Jackson but to his family he was Stacey.

Arnold said Jackson did it all but wouldn’t miss a moment with his family.

“If we were having a get-together, he was definitely showing up,” Arnold said. “As I look at the crowd of people mourning for him, I find comfort in knowing that all of you loved him.”

A statement from Jackson’s sons read by Pastor Bob Hawkins said:

“The weight of his absence is felt in the quiet moments in the laughter that no longer echoes quite the same,” it read. “Yet, amidst the grief is a profound gratitude for the time shared, the lessons learned, and the imprint he left on hearts forever and ever.”

After words of comfort, acknowledgments, and a closing prayer Jackson’s casket was wheeled out of the church.

This story was originally published May 16, 2024 at 5:00 PM.