Donald Eugene Jackson

Donald Eugene “Gene” Jackson, formerly of Vandalia, IL, died in his home in Jackson, TN on April 24, 2025. All services are under the direction of the Bells Funeral Home.

Mr. Gene was born June 30, 1942, to the late Forrest Jackson and the late Edna Mae Lansford Jackson in Brownstown, IL. He married Kay Walton on June 18, 1967. Gene graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. He pastored churches in Missouri and Illinois. Gene and his wife Kay owned and operated the K & G Christian Supply in Vandalia from 1974 until their retirement in 1999. They were the parents of two children: Chad Walton Jackson and Beth Ann Jackson East. Mr. Gene had an active and wonderful retirement, spending time with his family, actively serving at West Jackson Baptist Church and doing many community and church related things. He taught Bible Classes and Vacation Bible School at church and did volunteer work as a reading coach to second graders in the public schools, served on disaster relief teams in the community, served meals at the Regional Interfaith Agency and helped his wife bake birthday goodies for young people at Youthtown.

Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by one sister: Shirley Jackson Bigall; Parents in Law: Donald and Berneice Walton; and brother in laws: Wayne Bigall and Larry Walton; Sister-in-Law: Barbara Walton.

Mr. Gene is survived by his wife of over 57 years: Kay Karen Walton Jackson; his son: Chad Jackson and wife Stacy; his daughter: Beth Jackson East and husband Randall; He leaves a legacy of five grandchildren: Tyler, Brendon and Blake Jackson and Makayla and Emily Baker.

Burial will be at Griffith Cemetery in Brownstown, Ill. Date and times will be announced as soon as they are finalized.