BENTON — James Eric Jackson III,

age 75, of Benton, Ark., and Sturgis, Miss., died peacefully surrounded by his wife and children on April 13, 2023.

Eric was born on January 1, 1948, in Memphis, Tenn., to James and Pauline McNair Jackson. Eric retired from the Arkansas Veteran’s Hospital in North Little Rock and Little Rock, Ark., after 31 years of service. He then relocated to Sturgis, Miss., and became an alderman in the town for over 10 years. Eric was very instrumental in promoting the Sturgis, Miss., motorcycle rally every August. He Loved his motorcycle “Ole Lady” that was a 1973 Harley Davidson shovel head.

Eric Loved the Lord and he was a Christian. He attended the Sturgis Baptist Church as a child. He is a member of the Sturgis Methodist Church and attended the First Baptist Church of Benton.

Eric received two college degrees from Mississippi State University in Starkville, Miss. We as a family were so proud of him, as he walked across the stage at the age of 68 years old.

Eric was preceded in death by his parents, James and Pauline McNair Jackson Jr.; first wife, Debra Shepherd Jackson; father and mother-in-law, Luther and Lucille Shepherd; father and mother-in-law Ralph and Donna Brown; stepson, Mark Bailey; and grandchildren, Marshall and Jordan Bailey.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Rebecca Brown Jackson of Benton, Ark.; daughter, Amanda Jackson Baker (Jeremy) of Sherwood, Ark.; three sons, James Eric Jackson IV “Jimbo” of Arkadelphia, Ark., Billy Jackson (Keri) of Cabot, Ark., and Matt Bailey (Mary-Kate) of Spring, Texas; grandchildren, Bodey Jackson, Jackson Werner, James Eric Jackson V “JJ”, Harley Ann Shepherd, Samantha Jo Shepherd, Jayden Ivy Jackson, Jack Bailey, and Nora June Bailey.

Eric was also blessed with numerous family and friends.

Visitation will be from 5–7 p.m., on Tuesday, April 18, at Sturgis Methodist Church.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 19, at Sturgis Methodist Church with a graveside service immediately following at Sturgis Cemetery. Pastor Zac Cox will be officiating.

On-Line condolences can be submitted at Welch Funeral Home https://www.welchfuneralhomes.com/