Mr. Doyce Lamar Jackson

Mr. Doyce Lamar Jackson, age 57, passed away on January 14, 2026. He was born in Bradenton, Florida, and educated in the Manatee County School District. Doyce was a proud 1986 graduate of Southeast High School, where he distinguished himself as an outstanding athlete in football.

His athletic excellence earned him a full football scholarship to the University of Florida, where he played as a defensive lineman for the Florida Gators. He graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.

Following graduation, Doyce relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he built a long and meaningful career as a public-school educator.

Doyce was known for his larger-than-life personality, his talkative and engaging nature, and the affectionate nicknames "Go Ready" and "Big Gator." He had a deep and lifelong love for his alma mater, the University of Florida and the Florida Gators.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, LaDonna Jackson; his mother, Peggy Jackson; his father, Elder Willie Felton, Sr.; and his grandmother, Gerneva Parrimon.

Doyce leaves to cherish his memory his parent, Mrs. Lucy Felton of Palmetto, Florida; his children, Carl Jones of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jessica Jones Thomas (Brandan) of Acworth, Georgia; his sisters, Carol Felton Mobley (Daryl) of Guyton, Georgia, and Joy Felton of Riverview, Florida; and his brother, Willie Felton, Jr. of Bradenton, Florida.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Dominic Jones, Carmen Jones, Carter Jones, Ry'lynn Jones, Giavonni Thomas, and Malik Thomas; his aunt: Angela Dexter (James) of Tacoma, Washington; uncles: Jerry Jackson, Sr. (Urania) of Edmond, Oklahoma; Henry Taylor (Valerie) of Bradenton, Florida; Glenn Taylor of Lexington, Kentucky; Demetrius Parrimon (Heather) of Bradenton, Florida; and Todario (fiancé Maria) of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Additional survivors include his brother-in-law, Clifton White (Dorothy) of Columbus, Georgia; sister-in-law, Deborah Stamps of Savannah, Georgia; father- and mother-in-law, John and Lucy Palmer of Savannah, Georgia; special cousins, Tracy Jackson of Bradenton, Florida, and Tony Jamerson of Atlanta, Georgia; dear friends, Nylas Foster and Vincent Elder of Atlanta, Georgia, James Speer and Calvin Strong of Gainesville, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Mr. Jackson will lie in state for viewing, Saturday, January 24,2026 11:00 A.M. til 12:00 P.M., at Smalls Funeral Home, Inc. Chapel, 203 Samuel Smalls Sr. Ave, Guyton, Georgia 31312. Life Celebration will follow 12:00 P.M. at the same location. Burial is private.

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