Jackie Jerome Leverett's Obituary
On August 9, 2023, a gentle giant, Jackie Jerome Leverett was called from labor to reward surrounded by his family. He was born to the late Catherine Leverett and Gelester Williams on October 7, 1948 in Augusta, Georgia. Jackie was affectionately known as Jack and Big Jack by those that knew him well.
Jackie was educated in the Richmond County School system and a proud member of Lucy C. Laney High School's class of 1966. While attending high school, his love for music manifested, and he distinguished himself as a lead bass drummer in the high school band. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. He trained in Fort Hood, Texas and Red Stone Arsenal Huntsville, Alabama. He was later stationed in Goeppingen, Germany. After his tour of duty ended, he was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1973. Jackie returned to his hometown where he was employed by the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond County Probation Office, Augusta Correctional Medical Institute and J.B. White's Department Store (Loss Prevention).
In 1996, Jackie relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida. While living in St. Petersburg, he served as a loss prevention specialist with the Home Shopping Network and a School Bus Operator for the Pinellas County School System (St. Petersburg, Florida). In 1998, Jackie also became a member of Mount Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. During this time, he was ordained as a deacon and served in that capacity for 8 years.
Upon retiring, he relocated to the Atlanta, Georgia area in 2008. He joined Friendship Baptist Church in Duluth, Georgia. While attending, he continued to serve as a deacon. His love for music and audio continued, and he became the lead deacon of the media ministry. Because he had a heart for people, he helped establish an outreach ministry that provide hot meals and a food pantry for members in the community. Taking his position as a deacon beyond the walls of the church, he conducted and organized mid-week bible study at Lifecare Skilled Nursing Facility.
Big Jack was a full on renaissance man. He was an avid Alabama Crimson Tide fan (Roll Tide), as well a cultural connoisseur of the Low Country where he would dine on catfish and enjoy the melodious sounds of jazz. He had an infinite love for all genres of music. The beautiful melodies, colorful harmonies and playful rhythms spoke to his soul.
He was preceded in death by three siblings: Gelester Williams, Orvis E. Maddox and Benita T. Burns.
He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by: Spouse, Yvette Leverett; three daughters, Jacqueline D. Leverett, Jackie (Isaac) L. Bostick and Krystina Leverett; one son, Howard Rodd; one grandson, Isaac Bostick II; five sisters, Andrea Jordan, Linda Bennett, Marsha (Walter) Newton, Georgette Shaw, and Kathleen Thompkins; one brother, Clarence Thompkins; devoted friends, Henry and Bella Lewis, Ronnie Marshall, Janomi (Mac) McCullar and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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