Dr. Michaelis B. Jackson

CARBONDALE - Dr. Michaelis B. Jackson, age 62, passed away on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.



He was born on July 29th, 1955 in Saint Louis, Missouri to Lillie (Neal) Tuckson and Jesse Anderson Jr. In 1973 he enlisted in the Air Force and served for 4 years. Dr. Jackson graduated Cum Laude from Lindenwood College, St. Charles, MO in 1981 with his B.S. in Biology. He then attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN where he received his M.D. degree in 1985. Dr. Jackson then completed his Ophthalmology residency at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York where he served as Chief Resident from 1988-1990. He married Martine (Polynice) Jackson on July 5th, 1991.



Dr. Jackson began practicing ophthalmology in Southern Illinois in 1991. He went on to establish Jackson Vision & Laser Centers in 1999. Known for his commitment to raising the standard of quality patient care, Dr. Jackson had a long-standing reputation for patient rapport that even included making house calls for patients that could not get to his office and results that surpass his contemporaries. Dr. Jackson always led by example and inspired others by saying that, “If you find something you love to do you will not have to work a day in your life.”



Dr. Jackson is survived by his wife, Martine Jackson, his two sons Jason Michaelis Jackson, Winston B.J. Jackson, his two daughters Arielle Nicole Jackson, and Alexandria Morgan Jackson. His grandchildren, Joy Jackson, Tyson Jackson, and Lily Jackson. His mother Lillie Tuckson, and his siblings Bob Jackson, Denise (Jackson) Wilson, Larae Jackson, Gustavus Jackson and Jesse Anderson, III.



He is preceded in death by his father, Jesse Anderson, Jr., his brothers Vernell Jackson, George Jackson, Errol Jackson and Andrew Jackson.



Visitation will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church in Carbondale, IL on Friday, June 1st, 2018, from 9am to 12pm with funeral mass following at noon with Fathers Robert Flannery, Joseph Brown, Anthony Onyango and Joseph Oganda officiating. Military rites will be conducted jointly by Scott Airforce Base and American Legion Post 127 immediately after mass.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John A. Logan College, Southeastern Illinois College, Meharry Medical College, St. Francis CARE Animal Shelter, or a charity of your choice. Envelopes will be available at the church.



Meredith Funeral Home, Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Dr. Jackson please visit, www.meredithfh.com.