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Billy Martin Jackson, 84, of Beaumont, Texas died Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at Christus Southeast Texas-St. Elizabeth, Beaumont, Texas. Billy was born July 15, 1936 in Attapulgus, Georgia to James William Jackson and Georgia Josephine Parham Jackson.

He graduated from Attapulgus High School and spent one year at Oglethorpe University and then transferred to Georgia Teachers College in Statesboro, Georgia.  He graduated in 1958 and took a job teaching in Nahunta, Georgia. He later taught in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, and Tallahassee, Florida.  He married Miriam Cowart December 26, 1960.  In 1962 he joined Toastmasters which became an important part of his life.  He was a very good public speaker and was a member of the organization the rest of his life.

In 1965, he went to work for the Traveler’s Insurance Company.  He rose to be manager of the Surety Division in Cincinnati, Ohio.  His division was sold to Continental Insurance Company in1989 and Miriam and Billy moved to Columbus, Ohio.

He retired in 1995 and they moved to Tallahassee, Florida. In 2011, they moved to Beaumont, Texas, to be near their two sons and grandchildren.

He was a member of the Methodist church all of his life serving as Sunday School teacher, and on various committees and boards.  In college he was president of the Wesley Foundation.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Miriam; two sons, James William Jackson (Pam) of Beaumont and Jeffrey Martin Jackson (Alli) of Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren, Hannah, Will, Cole, Max, Reese, Martti, and Aino. He is also survived by sisters, Mary Jo Clark of Saint Cloud, Minnesota and Enid Borders of Panama City, Florida; and brother, Charles Graham Jackson of Detroit, Michigan.

He is preceded in death by sisters, Catherine Smith and Geraldine McCarty; brothers, Mason Jackson, James Jackson, Royce Jackson, and Carl Jackson.

A funeral service for Mr. Jackson was held March 4 at Trinity United Methodist Church under the direction of Broussard’s in Beaumont, Texas.

A graveside service will be held at Attapulgus Cemetery, Attapulgus, Georgia, on Monday, March 8, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., with Ivey Funeral Home, Bainbridge, Georgia, directing.

Memorials can be made to Attapulgus United Methodist Church, 406 Donalson Avenue, Attapulgus, Georgia 39815.

Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com.