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Courtney Carmichael Jackson

Mrs. Courtney Carmichael Jackson, age 65, passed away on January 9, 2017 after battling Alzheimer's for many years. Throughout her life, Courtney was a devoted mother, wife, sister, grandmother, friend and active member of the volunteer community and her church, Second Presbyterian.

Courtney was born November 5, 1951 in Jackson, Mississippi the daughter of Cleo and GT Carmichael. Growing up she lived in Mexico City, Jacksonville, FL, Savannah, GA and New Orleans, LA with her parents and sister Geri (Carmichael) Muse while her father worked as a Civil Engineer. In September 1970, Courtney married her husband, J. Presley Jackson and together they moved to Little Rock, AR.

Courtney lived a full and loving life both with her family and in serving others. As part of her passion for serving the community, she acted as the Program Chairman for Symphony Designer House, Vice President of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Society (ASOS) Guild in 1981-1983, 1985, and Membership Chairman, President Elect. Her volunteer work spread to several other organizations including the Junior League, Evergreen Garden Club, Museum of Science, Friends of the Theatre, Riverfest, Parent Center Volunteer Association, and American Heart Association. Throughout her life, Courtney was an active member of Second Presbyterian Church, Little Rock. There she served as a deacon and Stephen minister and also served as a youth advisor for ten years. Her work as a youth advisor was a big part of her mission to the church and she loved them like they were part of her extended family. Later in life she enjoyed working and volunteering in the church daycare, and took any chance she could to rock the babies.

Courtney also had a passion for science and technology. After graduating from John F Kennedy High School, she attended Ole Miss University and the University of New Orleans, completing with a BS in Biology Education and a minor in Chemistry. In 1974 she continued to take graduate courses at Loyola University to complete a minor in Physics, and ten years later completed a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Throughout her career, she used her interests and skills as an educator, computer consultant and bookkeeper. In 1991, she combined her love for cooking with her talent for marketing and co-founded a bread making business called Arkansas Friends, Inc. with long-time friend Frances Keeley. The recipe for the delicious bread remains a treasured family favorite.

She was a great entertainer, loyal friend, the best mother, and a dedicated wife who is greatly missed by her family. She is survived by her husband James Presley Jackson of Little Rock, AR, sister Geri Muse and brother-in-law Bill Muse of Knoxville, TN, her two children Jessica Jackson of Memphis, TN and G. Tanner Jackson and daughter-in-law Corrie Jackson of Newtown PA; grandchildren Penelope Anne and Graham Thomas “GT” Jackson.

Family and friends are welcome to join us at Second Presbyterian Church to honor and celebrate her life through a memorial service on January 21st at 2 pm. A reception will immediately follow. If you would like to honor Courtney’s life memorial donations can be made through her tribute page for the Alzheimer’s Association (http://tinyurl.com/ccjackson).