Jimmy Smith Jackson

Jimmy Smith Jackson of Garner, NC passed away on May 19, 2026. He was born on August 15, 1943 in Philadelphia, Mississippi and grew up in Canton, Mississippi.

After graduating from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy in 1967, he began his career with Kerr Drug in Raleigh, NC as a pharmacist and quickly moved through the operational ranks. He and his wife Peggy moved to Garner in 1969 to open the first Kerr Drug store in that area. He spent many years in Government Affairs at Kerr Drug and Eckerd and worked closely with Boards of Pharmacy, Legislatures, and Schools of Pharmacy from Virginia through Florida. He served on many advisory boards for pharmaceutical companies and Schools of Pharmacy. He was especially proud of his work with the Pharmacy Network Foundation which provides scholarships and financial support to Schools of Pharmacy. Jimmy received many awards for his work including the National Assoc. of Chain Drug Stores Harold Pratt award (1997), North Carolina Pharmacist of the Year (1998), Distinguished Alumni Award from The University of Mississippi (2001), and honorary Dr. of Science from Campbell University (2007).

Jimmy married Peggy Williamson in 1969, and they would have celebrated 57 years of marriage in July. He was an avid reader and golfer, and enjoyed hunting waterfowl and upland birds. One of his greatest joys was training and working with his hunting dogs. He was committed to his community and served as Director and Chairman for the Garner Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of the Garner Rotary Club for many years, as well as a member of the Vandora Masonic Lodge #745 and Garner United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Peggy, children Wendy Dunlap (Christopher) and Alicia Jackson and grandchildren Elena and Natalie Dunlap. He was preceded in death by his parents, James C. and Ava Jackson of Brandon, Mississippi, sister Frances Smith, and brother Frank Jackson.

A celebration of life will be held on May 29 at 1:00 pm at Garner United Methodist Church, 201 Methodist Dr., Garner, NC 27529.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/), The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy Scholarship Fund (https://pharmacy.olemiss.edu/about/giving/), Campbell School of Pharmacy Scholarship Fund (https://cphs.campbell.edu/cphs-alumni/give/), or a charity of your choice.