10/09/2026
Jack's love for the arts and for the Greenville community was something truly special!
Here at the Greenville Arts Council, Jack was so much more than a former board member. Even after his time on the board ended, he never stopped showing up for us. Whether it was putting together a last-minute flower arrangement to brighten up our hallway, helping us figure out who on our mailing list had moved, or just stopping by to chat and browse the gallery and retail space, Jack was always here, ready and willing to lend a hand.
Jack had a way of making the spaces and people around him a little brighter, and we know we are just one of the many organizations and countless individuals throughout Greenville who were lucky enough to experience that.
Please join us in keeping Jack's family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched in your thoughts during this difficult time. ❤️
Evans Crosby “Jack” Jackson, a lifelong resident of Greenville, Mississippi, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the age of 77. There will be a visitation held on Friday, October 16, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Methodist Church in Greenville, with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Greenville Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Greenville.
Jack was born May 13, 1949, in Greenville to Mayo Evans Jackson and Faye Sudduth Jackson. Greenville and the Mississippi Delta were not simply where Jack lived; they were an inseparable part of who he was. Over the course of his life, he became a familiar and beloved presence in the community through dance, the arts, his church, Kappa Alpha Order, civic involvement, and the countless friendships he formed along the way.
Jack attended E.M. Boyd, Carrie Stern, E.E. Bass Junior High School and Greenville High School, graduating in 1967. He went on to attend Delta State University, where he earned his undergraduate degree and became a member of Kappa Alpha Order. His devotion to Kappa Alpha continued for decades after his college years. He served for many years as an alumni advisor and was recognized by the fraternity for his commitment and service.
Dance was one of the defining passions of Jack’s life. Following his education, he returned to the Delta and continued the family tradition of dance alongside his aunt, Almyra Jackson, an accomplished and widely respected dancer. Together, they taught through the Jackson Studio of Dance, which operated multiple studios throughout the Mississippi Delta.
For more than 50 years, Jack taught generations of children and young adults to dance. His influence reached far beyond Greenville, with studios and students throughout the Delta. For countless families, dance lessons with Jack Jackson became part of growing up, and many of his former students continued to remember him fondly decades after leaving the studio.
Jack’s talents extended far beyond teaching. He was deeply involved in the performing arts and shared his gifts with organizations including the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and Delta Center Stage. He appeared onstage from childhood, choreographed numerous productions, and remained an enthusiastic supporter of theater, music and dance throughout his life. In 2008, his contributions were recognized with a Lifetime Contribution in the Arts Award.
His faith and his church were equally important to him. Jack was a longtime and active member of Trinity Methodist Church in Greenville, where he served in numerous leadership positions over the years, including MYF counselor, Administrative Board Chairman, Conference Delegate, Men’s Club President, Church Lay Leader and Trustee.
Jack’s creativity was not limited to the stage or dance studio. He also had a longtime love of flowers and floral design, often arranging flowers for Trinity Methodist Church, weddings, and special occasions throughout the community. It was another way he brought beauty, celebration and his own distinctive touch to the lives of others.
Jack also believed strongly in giving back to the community that had given him so much. He was involved with numerous civic and cultural organizations and was a longtime volunteer and supporter of Greenville’s arts and community activities.
In 2019, Jack was honored as King of the Delta Hot Tamale Festival, a distinction particularly appropriate for someone whose personality, enthusiasm and love of Greenville were so closely associated with the spirit of the Delta.
Those who knew Jack knew that titles and accomplishments tell only part of his story.
Jack was truly one of a kind. He seemed always to have a smile, loved a gathering and knew how to turn almost any occasion into a party. He was outgoing, opinionated, wonderfully colorful and unmistakably himself. He was quite a character — and he would not have wanted it any other way. Above all, he loved people, and people loved Jack.
Family held an especially important place in his life.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Mayo Evans Jackson and Faye Sudduth Jackson; his only sister, Jahala Jackson Black; and his brother-in-law, Donald Earl Black.
He is survived by his nephew, Donald Gwain Black, whom Jack loved as a son and for whom Jack became a father figure following the death of Gwain’s father when Gwain was very young; Gwain’s wife, Carr Murphy Black; his beloved great-nephew, Brayden Gwain Black, who held an extraordinarily special place in Jack’s heart; and Gwain’s stepsons, Nathaniel Barrett Brown and Mason Scott Brown, all of Brandon, Mississippi.
Jack also leaves behind an extended family of former dance students, fraternity brothers, church members, fellow performers, neighbors and lifelong friends throughout Greenville and the Mississippi Delta.
In a 2011 profile reflecting on his life in Greenville, Jack spoke about how fortunate he felt to have friendships stretching back decades and described the privilege of being able to give something back to the community he called home. That sentiment may be the best description of the life he ultimately lived.
Jack gave Greenville more than seventy-seven years of his personality, talents, service, laughter and friendship. Generations learned to dance because of him. Productions came to life because of him. Organizations benefited from his service. A church community benefited from his faith and leadership. And countless people simply had more fun because Jack was in the room.
Greenville will not quite be the same without Jack Jackson.
Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Methodist Church in Greenville in Jack’s memory.
