The family of Robert Lee “Bobby” Jackson is sad to announce
his passing on Presidents Day, Monday February 15, 2021 at age 79
years from heart complications in Nashville, Tennessee. Bobby is
survived by his beloved wife and best friend of thirty one years,
Sherrie Lowe Jackson, of Franklin, TN; brother, Eugene Deadrick
“Rick” Jackson III (Judy) of Austin, TX and sister, Mary Jackson
Green of Charlotte, NC; son, Robert Todd Jackson (Ann) of Franklin,
TN and daughters Jennifer Jackson Kanyuh (Michael) of Murfreesboro,
TN and Robin Jackson Faber (John) of Nashville, TN; sons by
marriage, William Brent Goodman (Andrea) of Nolensville, TN and
Blake Thomas Goodman of Atlanta, GA. Bobby had twelve grandchildren;
Robert Lee Jackson (Bridgett), Markham Todd Jackson, Olivia Ann
Jackson, Makenzie Kanyuh Young (Jonathan), Hannah Madison Kanyuh,
Roman Lee Jackson, Blair Jackson Boone (Dustin), Dorothy Evelyn
“Ellie” Faber, Margaret “Maggie” Gwynne Faber, Sarah Katherine
Faber, William Bennett Goodman, and Everett Lee Goodman; great
grandchildren Seraphina “Sally” Jackson and Granger Hayes Boone;
nephew, Eugene Deadrick Jackson IV and nieces Karen Jackson, Libra
Green Deaton (David) and Jessica Green Brick (Kevin).
Bobby was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Deadrick Jackson,
Jr. and mother, Sarah Ruth “Sally” Green Jackson both of Nashville,
TN; and his son, Terry Lee Jackson of Smyrna, TN.
Bobby was born on December 20, 1941 in Nashville, TN. He graduated
from Madison High School in 1959 where he was voted “Most
Mischievous” by his classmates and was also a member of the Rams
football team coached by the late Bill Brimm. Bobby later attended
Vanderbilt University and became one of the first persons to
graduate in 1965 from a special program that allowed him to complete
both degrees in the undergraduate school and law school in a six
year program as opposed to seven years.
Bobby started his 55 year long career with his father, Eugene D.
Jackson Jr., from 1965 until 1977 in the Nashville law firm known as
“Jackson, Tanner and Reynolds”, and then with his son, Robert Todd
Jackson, from 1989 until 1998 in the law firm known as “Jackson and
Associates”. He continued his private practice until his death in
association with the following attorneys at different times over the
years; Jim Badger, David Garrett, Elizabeth Garrett, Laura Goodall,
Larry Hayes, Stan Kweller, Trent Lehman, Bryan Lewis, Rob McKinney
and longtime office manager and friend Sarah Schmidt.
Bobby was known as a fearless advocate for his clients and became a
legend to many lawyers, jurists, and his clients during that time.
He was one of the first Nashville lawyers to be named one of the
“Best Lawyers In America” by the organization and publication in the
1980's, and his legal practice was also named one of the “Best Law
Firms In The City” by U.S. News & World Report. Bobby was proud to
have earned an “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell, the highest
possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards in the
profession based on peer review only. Nashville and the Middle
Tennessee area has lost one of its most experienced and finest legal
minds in Bobby’s passing.
Bobby was the fifth of seven consecutive generations of Jackson men
to practice law in the State of Tennessee since the approximately
1850's. Bobby’s son, Todd, is the sixth generation, and his
grandsons, Lee and Mark, are the seventh generation of Jackson
lawyers to practice law in the State of Tennessee.
Throughout his career, Bobby was a mentor to many of Nashville’s
finest lawyers and jurists. In the last two decades, he had become
one of the best mediators (more than 2000 cases) in family law
matters in Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area and was
affectionately known as “The Closer” due to his ability to resolve
contentious matters between parties going through divorces or
post-divorce issues. Bobby was a lawyer’s lawyer and represented
many lawyers in their own personal family law matters throughout his
career.
Outside of the courtroom, Bobby was one of the most personable and
charming men to be around. Over the years, he and Sherrie maintained
a close group of friends who they love dearly. He enjoyed
vacationing and eating out with these close friends as well as his
family. Some of their favorite places to visit were Destin and
Naples, FL, New York, and Atlanta, GA. Some of his favorite
restaurants were The Palm in downtown Nashville where his caricature
is featured twice on the walls of the restaurant and Bricktops where
the staff affectionately referred to him as “Uncle Bobby”.
Bobby’s love for his family, friends, and work were all closely
followed by his love for items of the past which was clearly evident
to those who visited his office or home. He loved antique/muscle
cars, guitars, vintage juke boxes, vintage toys, anything Elvis
related, and memorabilia from WWII with a special affinity for Sir
Winston Churchill and Douglas MacArthur. He spent a lot of time
attending flea markets and antique malls searching for these items
to buy and sell (recently this trading transitioned to eBay). Many
of his family and friends would join him on trips following his
passions, including trips to Mecum’s muscle car auctions in
Indianapolis, and trips to Hershey and Carlyle, PA for car shows.
One of Bobby’s pride and joy antique cars was his blue 1941 Buick
Coupe which made the cover of a Nashville magazine many years ago.
Active pall bearers are Bobby’s children, and grandchildren.
Honorary pall bearers are his close personal friends; active lawyers
and jurists who have worked with Bobby throughout his career;
Nashville Bar Association members; Williamson County Bar Association
members; and Tennessee Bar Association members.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Centennial Heart,
H.A.R.T. Inc., and Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Department
of Cardiac Surgery. A graveside service and burial at Woodlawn
Cemetery is currently scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2021 for
the immediate family. A celebration of life gathering for Bobby’s
family, friends, and colleagues will be determined at a later date.
The funeral arrangements have been made by Phillips-Robinson Funeral
Home.
The family extends their gratitude and appreciation to all who
touched Bobby’s life. He will be dearly missed and forever in our
hearts. Those who knew him best know that Bobby’s favorite saying
was “Oh My God, Miss Agnes.” So from Bobby’s family, we say “Oh My
God, Miss Agnes, we will miss you!” |