James S. Jackson, 76, of 1030 Hwy. 9 North, Mill Spring died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011 in Hospice House of Rutherford County in Forest City, N.C.

A native of Polk County, he was the son of the late Frank and Maggie Lee Swindler Jackson. A graduate of Mill Spring High School (1954), he attended a short term at Spartanburg Jr. College.

He was a veteran, having served his military service (March 11, 1958 – 1960) in the U.S. Army in Formosa. Upon returning home he began his life long career as a cattle farmer and also worked with the North Carolina Department of Transportation as a foreman of the patching crew until his retirement in 1995 after 25 years of service. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church where he was a deacon. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World and one of the founders of Mill Spring Fire Department and also a member of the Cattleman’s Association.

James was a loving and caring father and grandfather. A man of strong faith in God. A gentle, kind and forgiving person. He was a friend to all and cared about others, his family, church and community. He would help anyone in need.

Through his years of illness, he always looked on the bright side of life, enjoyed his friends and phone calls, accepted his condition and never complained. He was a true witness for the Lord.

James is survived by his wife, Julia (Judy) Hardin Jackson; a daughter, Pam Jackson Carswell and her husband Larry; a brother, Dan T. Jackson; a sister, Frances Lee Jackson Patton; a grandson, Trenton Lee Carswell; and a granddaughter, Talia Carswell. Also many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 in Faith Baptist Church, with Rev. William Kanupp, Rev. Tom Canady, Rev. Terri Honeycutt and Rev. Tim Gouge officiating.

Burial will be in Faith Baptist Church Cemetery with military rites by Polk County Burial Squad and Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel in Tryon.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, P. O. Box 336, Forest City, N.C. 28043 or to Faith Baptist Church, 265 Hwy. 9 North, Mill Spring, N.C. 28756.

At other times the family will be at the home.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.