Mr. Robin Elmo Jackson

Mr. Robin Elmo Jackson, age 87, of Thomaston, died peacefully at his residence on May 17, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson's Disease. Funeral services for Mr. Jackson will be held Saturday, May 20, at 11:00 AM, at Valley Grove Baptist Church. The Rev. Travis Graham will officiate, and burial will follow in the Valley Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Fletcher-Day Funeral Home on Friday, May 19, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM.

Mr. Jackson was born in Thomaston on July 5, 1935, to the late Isaac Robin Jackson and the late Estelle Shumate Jackson. He was a graduate of R. E. Lee Institute. He served in the U. S. Army, and later in the Army National Guard, for six years. He was a member of the first graduating class from the Georgia Military Institute. During his active duty service, he was awarded Sharpshooter and Expert Rifleman medals. Mr. Jackson was employed by The Thomaston Times and The Free Press newspapers for 47 years and retired as General Manager. During his career with the newspaper, he was instrumental in getting newspapers in the hands of local students by creating a Newspapers in Education program for the schools, he changed the press operation from cold type to offset printing, and he brought color to the newspaper. He was often called for consultation by other newspapers in his affiliated group. Mr. Jackson was a member of the Georgia Press Association where he served on many committees, the Thomaston Lions Club where he was a Past President, and he also participated in other community activities. He enjoyed gardening and fishing in his spare time. Mr. Jackson was a life-long member of Valley Grove Baptist Church, and at the time of his election to Deacon, he was the youngest to serve. He also served as Church Treasurer, as a Royal Ambassadors leader, and as a Sunday School teacher of the mixed adults class for 35 years.

In addition to his parents Mr. Jackson was preceded in death by his beloved granddaughter, Meghann Estelle Smith; five sisters and spouses: Vivian and Talmadge Hammock, Lazell Kirkland, Margie and Homer Johnson, Priscilla and W. C. Daniel, and Alma and Russell Day; one brother: Jasper Arnold Jackson.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Edmonson Jackson; two daughters: Kelli Mills and Kenya (Gary) Campbell; a sister: Mary Roche; and one granddaughter: Olivia (Cam) Ellis. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Mr. Jackson loved his family and grandchildren dearly.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those desiring make memorial contributions to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 200 SE 1st St., Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131; or to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 1000 Circle 75 Parkway, #45, Atlanta, GA 30339; or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.