Otto Jackson III

The Life Journey of Otto Jackson III

On Thursday, July 10th, 2025, Otto entered into eternal rest. He was born June 29, 1955, to the late Eddie Jackson Sr. and Beatrice Maxwell Jackson. He was the 9th born in the order of 11 children.   Otto graduated from McDuffie High School in Anderson, SC on May 18, 1978. He was always educating himself and received several certifications: Hazmat Certification, Residential and Commercial Electrical Wiring, Assembly/Warehouse Operations Certification and a Forklift License. He also achieved Professional Truck Driving Licenses: CDL, Class A, Double Trailer, Triple Trailer, and Tanker.

Starting April 1974, he began his tenure at Mount Vernon Mills as a slasher, doffer, and an employee trainer. Upon leaving Mount Vernon Mills, he worked part-time for Michelin Corporation as a Carbon Black Cleaner for a year and a half. He was a General Freight Truck Driver for many years. After years of vigorous work, he retired.

In November 1978, Otto joined the Army National Guard and served as an E5 Staff Sergeant. His duty charge was to maintain surface to Air Stinger Missiles for the Avenger Air Defense System. In 2001, he retired via honorable discharge from the United States Army.

As his health began to decline in 2024, he resided at Richard Campbell Veterans Home, Belton, SC.  There he received the honor and care well deserved as a veteran of the United States by an amazing staff. He made many friends with his fellow veterans on Unit 4.

While Otto was a hard worker, there was always time for his family and especially his nieces and nephews. So, work hard, play hard and be everybody’s favorite uncle was his mantra. He always made time to visit each and every one of his 3 brothers and 7 sisters families and spend quality time.  If you know the Jackson crew, it was not easy to impress at least 37 nieces and nephews with only 52 weeks in the year and make them all feel special, especially when growing up some of them were as old as he was. Otto and his brother Michael shared a special bond, and when Michael became a single dad, and the opportunity came to ensure that his nieces would not go lacking, bonus uncle-dad went into full effect.

Otto leaves to cherish fond memories two sisters, Barbara Galloway of Pendleton, SC and Patricia Wright of Anderson, SC; and one brother, Michael K. Jackson of Lansing, MI. He leaves behind a legacy of love to all of his nieces and nephews, including Melissa Jackson and Tonia Jackson, whom he cared for as if they were his own, and a special appreciation for Audra Galloway Bacon (Alonzo) of Atlanta, GA, for ensuring he lived his best life until eternal rest.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie Jackson Sr. and Beatrice (Maxwell) Jackson; five sisters, Geraldine Peppers, Mildred Lee Robinson, Brenda Greenlee, Blondell Murray, and Beatrice Galloway; two brothers, Anthony Jackson and Eddie Jackson Jr.; three nephews, Samuel “Bubba” Galloway, Jerry “Little Jerry” Patterson, and Anthony “Pumpkin” Jackson Jr; and one niece, Ivey Murray.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at King's Chapel A.M.E. Church.  The interment will follow in the church cemetery.  Public viewing Friday from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family is at 401 Greenville St., Apt G-1, Pendleton, SC.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Otto Jackson III, please visit our floral store.