The Jackson family has been a part of western Elmore County for generations.
It now mourns the death of Theodore Jackson Sr. who was instrumental in the founding of Coosada. He was on the town council from incorporation until his retirement in 2018. In that time, he served multiple terms as mayor pro tem and interim mayor of the small town. But he wasn’t a politician. Jackson was a pillar of the community.
Jackson’s youngest son Don remembers as a child going everywhere with his father. One trip was to Birmingham just a year after the town was formed in 1975 to visit with the authorities of what is today known as the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department.
“They were trying to build a community center,” Jackson said. “The town of Coosada submitted for a grant to buy playground equipment, build a baseball field, buy bleachers and outfit the community center. It is still operating and quite popular today.”
But the town of Coosada and its community center are not the only things the elder Jackson is known for. He was born in Elmore County in 1933 and baptized Pine Grove Church. It is a church his family gave property for. It is the same family that can trace its roots to slavery in the area. Jackson went to schools when they were segregated and Jackson’s father raised funds so his son had desks and supplies in the all Black schools of the time.
Young Theodore took notice and developed a work ethic and love for Elmore County.
“My father had five passions in life — faith, family, public education, the Town of Coosada and sports,” Don Jackson said.
After graduating high school Jackson enrolled at Alabama State University. Before he could finish, he was drafted into the Korean War. After he was discharged he completed his degree and started teaching at schools many have forgotten about — Cathamagby, Atkin Hill, Carver-Eclectic and W. B. Doby High School, all of which were segregated.
Jackson also completed his masters degree and a specialist degree in education administration from Alabama State.
He was the last principal at Doby. Theodore’s son has talked to many in the last graduation class and many have the same remarks about the deceased Jackson.
“They all talk about the influence he had in their lives,” Jackson said. “He was dad but when you hear the impact he had on other people, I don’t think he recognized it. It has been humbling.”
After Doby, Jackson served as principal at Millbrook Middle/Junior High School until retirement in 1996.
Don rode with his father to school and learned of sports. The elder Jackson helped create two different Black baseball leagues in Elmore County.
All four of Jackson’s children completed college, most played collegiate sports. The children got no favor in school, nor did any other child.
“He was strict,” Jackson said of his father. “There was discipline and he treated everyone the same. I’ve heard it more than 100 times since he died.”
Jackson coached a Dixie Majors team in 1974. They met Sonny Smart and Holtville for a three game series with more importance off the field.
“That series meant more to those communities than baseball,” Jackson said. “It was an acknowledgement of the importance of people being able to get along and get beyond race, gender and economics. That is what my father tried to do his entire life, especially in public education.”
Jackson was recognized by the Elmore County Board of Education for his dedication and fairness. Board member Wendell Saxon graciously presented a resolution to the board for approval.
“He showed great vision and embodied the highest standards of leadership and has represented the board in the most distinguished manner,” Saxon said.
Fittingly, Jackson's funeral was at Stanhope Elmore High School over the weekend. It is a community and area he has served for decades as an educator, coach and leader.
“He was an exceptional man,” Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis said. “He made a huge impact in Elmore County.”
But Jackson remembers Theodore Jackson Sr. best by the name dad.
“I’m extremely sad but I’m proud of the things he stood for,” Jackson said. “It gives me a lot of comfort.”
