The funeral service for Leland Arthur McKneely Jackson was held in Carbondale, Illinois on Friday, August 5, 2011 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Leland was born July 6, 1955 in El Paso, Texas. He passed away Sunday, August 1, 2011 at his home in Carbondale, Illinois after a brief illness.
Leland Arthur McKneely Jackson
Leland attended Fredonia Elementary, Thomas J. Rusk Junior High and graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1973. He was the first Eagle Scout in Troop 604. Leland served a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oregon. He received his Bachelor degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master degree from the University of Memphis. He worked for the State of Illinois as an Orientation and Mobility Instructor. He was serving on the High Council and as a Merit Badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America.
He married Sally Jo Bailey on May 22, 1979 in the St. George Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She survives him along with their nine children: daughters; Merrilee Murphy of Covington, Georgia; Anna Schmid of Carbondale, Illinois, Melody Thomas of Provo, Utah, Christine and Kathryn Jackson, both of Carbondale, Illinois; sons; James Jackson, Jacob Jackson, and Nathaniel Jackson, all of Carbondale, Illinois, and Aaron Jackson, who is presently serving a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Idaho. Leland is survived by three grandchildren; Elorah, Thomas, and Levi Murphy of Covington, Georgia.
He is also survived by his father, Leonard Marshall McKneely, Sr., of Nacogdoches; sisters; Marsha Ault of Nacogdoches; Brenda McKneely of Corpus Christi; brothers: Leonard M. McKneely Jr. of Nacogdoches; Carl S. McKneely of College Station; and Danny McKneely of Ft. Towson, Oklahoma. Lee was preceded in death by his mother, Delva Stewart Ricks and sister, Lurie Rankin.
