Dr. Michaelis B. Jackson of Carbondale

Dr. Michaelis B. Jackson, 62, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
He was born July 29, 1955, in St. Louis to Lillie (Neal) Tuckson and Jesse Anderson Jr. In 1973, he enlisted in the Air Force and served for four years. Dr. Jackson graduated Cum Laude from Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Mo., in 1981 with his B.S. in biology. He then attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., 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 to 1990. He married Martine (Polynice) Jackson July 5, 1991.
Dr. Jackson began practicing ophthalmology in Southern Illinois in 1991. He went on to establish Jackson Vision and 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 and 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 was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Anderson Jr.; and brothers Vernell Jackson, George Jackson, Errol Jackson and Andrew Jackson.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon June 1 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Carbondale, 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 Air Force 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 of Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Dr. Jackson, visit meredithfh.com.