Jackie Wilson

Hatley- Jackie Allen Wilson, 72, passed away on August 22, 2018 at his residence. He was born July 27, 1946 in Lee County to the late Elbert and Mary Eva Tate Wilson and grew up in Shannon, attending Shannon School. Jackie served his country with courage and honor in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, earning the rank of Sergeant. He served with the 52nd Security Detail, 1st Aviation Brigade and the 52nd Aviation Battalion “Flying Dragons”, and was a model soldier, earning numerous awards and medals. He married Helen Lay October, 1975. It was through his faith in God and determination to be victorious over cancer that Jackie beat many odds during the last 7 years of his life, often stating that “I’m not giving up.” He was member of New Hope Baptist Church. Learning to mechanic at a young age, Jackie mastered the skills of his trade, working as a heavy equipment mechanic in the oil fields and also working during the construction of the Tenn Tom Waterway as a field mechanic. Later on in life, he became self-employed and was the go to man for any questions concerning the repair of any type of equipment and the name Jackie Wilson became synonymous with tractors. He was an expert on all makes and models of farm tractors, with antique John Deere’s and Ford’s being his personal favorite. Jackie along with the help of Punkin, his sons and grandsons, restored many antique tractors, winning several show awards and tractor pulls. Jackie enjoyed traveling the country going to tractor shows and tractor pulls. One of his favorite tractors was his 8N Ford that had a V8 engine in it, once telling a TV reporter that he was the only person to ever be pulled over for speeding on a tractor. Not one to sit inside, he loved being outdoors hunting, fishing, doing dozer work at the hunting club and gardening. A friend to many, many people, Jackie enjoyed the time and conversations spent with his buddies. Above all of his accomplishments as a mechanic, greater than all of his prized tractors, stronger than his enjoyment of the outdoors, nothing could compare to the love he had for his wife, his sons, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We know and trust that his legacy will live on for generations to come by the love and devotion he had to his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Helen Frances Wilson; children, Willie Wilson (Beverly), Hatley, Christina Kerrigan (Kelly), Vallejo, CA, Joe Gullick (Lee Ann), New Albany, Lisa Heal (Robert), Amory, Mickey Sizemore (Lori), Sierra Vista, AZ, Jeannie Hathcock (Danny), Amory, and Darnell "Punkin" Moore, Hatley; brother Gene Wilson, Brewer; sisters, Judy Marsh (Steve), Guntown and Mary Alice Lee, Blue Springs; grandchildren, Tina King, Tasha Herring, Timothy and Bobby Heal, Rachel and Miles Sizemore, Luke, Chelsea and Emily Wilson, Caleb, Katie, Hannah and Aaron Gullick, Kyler and Kadin Kerrigan; great grandchildren, Riley, Ragen and Aiden King, Carter and Peyton McAnally, Cortlin Herring, Isaac, Noah, Taylor and Devon Heal; special friends, Jimmy Dahlem, Jimmy Umfress, Jerry Cantrell, Charles Marshall, Jerry Irvin, Denver Earnest, Pete Jenkins, Kermit Minga, Richard Long, Donald Kimbrough, Chip Chism, Terry Stevens, Keith Parham, Brad Stevens and many, many others along with a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by an infant brother, Vernon Wilson. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Cleveland-Moffett Funeral Home with Bro. Jeff Smith and Bro. R.D. Cline officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Devon Heal, Noah Heal, Bobby Heal, Timothy Heal, Jeffrey King, Ryan Wilson, Darnell “Punkin” Moore, and Caleb Gullick. Honorary pallbearers will be Eddie Tate, Joe Dye, John Ivy, Alford Tate and Ricky Cole. Visitation will be on Friday Evening, August 24 at the funeral home from 5-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to New Hope Baptist Church, 60371 Hatley Detroit Rd Amory, MS 38821. Condolences may be shared at clevelandmoffettfuneralhome.com.