Joseph Stanley Jackson, a resident of Opelika since 1972, died Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham. Joe, the youngest of eight children, was born Aug. 8, 1945, in East Tallasee, Alabama, to Ernest Leon Jackson and Easel Webster Jackson. He grew up in Notasulga, Alabama, where he attended Macon County High School. He was a member of the 1961-62 and 1962-63 State Championship football teams and also played basketball. He graduated from Macon Academy in Tuskegee, Alabama, and was a member of the first football team.
Joe worked for the Opelika Police Department from 1972 to 1981 where he attained the rank of sergeant. He was named Opelika Police Officer of the Year in 1981, was instrumental in starting the Opelika Police Youth Camp and also participated in the Toys for Tots program. He later served as license and tax examiner with the city of Opelika for several years. He was a barber by trade and owned and operated Joe’s Barber Shop in Opelika for many years. He continued barbering at his home after his retirement, where he served many of his lifelong customers and friends. Joe was a member of the Alabama National Guard and retired after 20 years of service. Joe was also a coach with the Opelika Parks and Recreation football program for many years. Many of his former players still called him “Coach” whenever they met him around town.
Joe was a member of the First Baptist Church of Opelika, where he served in the Joy Department working with the mentally disabled adults for over 20 years. He was also a member of Berry Dudley’s Sunday School Class.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Easel Jackson; brothers, John, Sammy, Paul and Leon Jackson; sisters, Sarah Jackson, Ophelia Griffin and Elizabeth Bedford.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lana Taylor Jackson; his daughter, Lori Jackson Paisley of Nashville, Tennessee; and his son, Bradley (Anna) Jackson, of Opelika. He is also survived by six grandchildren who were his pride and joy: Jackson Paisley of Atlanta, Georgia; James Paisley (and fiancée Michaela Threet) of Nashville; Kenley, Emma, Mikayla and Madyson Jackson of Opelika, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A private family interment was held prior to a memorial service at First Baptist Church Opelika on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Cade Farris officiating. The family held a receiving of friends after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks for donations to be made to First Baptist Church Opelika Joy Department.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home handled all arrangements.