Thomas Maxie Jackson, Sr. was the son of William R. and Anne Jackson, born on January 5, 1936 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Better known as Tom, he was a man who loved his family with devotion. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 42 years, Gay C. Jackson, his daughter Deborah J. Morrow, his grandson Evan R. Jackson, his sisters Mary Jo Lowman and Patsy Livingston, and his brother William R. Jackson.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Betty "B" Yonce Dunwoody Jackson, his son Thomas "Tommy" M. Jackson, Jr. (Cynthia), and granddaughter Keeley A. Jackson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by B's children, W.D. "Woody" Dunwoody, III, Jeanie Dunwoody Larson (Larry), Dorothy "Dottie" Dunwoody Shearer (Ken), Beth Dunwoody Corontzes (Zach); grandchildren Brittany Moran (Jamie), Anna Corontzes Smith (Bryson), and Natalie Corontzes; great-grandchild Kevin Moran; and a host of dear cousins, extended family, and friends.

Tom was a kind and soft spoken person, a true Southern gentleman with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, who loved what was good in life. He grew up in Ocean Drive Beach, SC and was a graduate of Little River High School. In 1958, Tom graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Retailing, where he was also a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Tom earned his C.M.E. in 1970 from Memphis State University.

An innovative and dedicated worker with an entrepreneurial spirit, Tom's professional life began at Pet Milk Company where he worked from 1958-1966. In 1966, he began working for the National Icee Corporation where he served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, working there for 31 years. He went on to found Palmetto Candy and Tobacco Company, where he served as CEO from 1999-2011. It was at this time that he earned his nickname, "Candy Man".

Tom had a generous heart for service to the community, and he served on numerous boards and foundations in the Columbia area, including on the USC Advisory Board for the Department of Retailing, the SC Federation Center for the Blind, Smoke Free SC, and the South Carolina Methodist Conference Credit Union Board of Directors. Tom was a loyal member of the Columbia Rotary Club, and he is remembered for his service at the Washington Street United Methodist Church soup kitchen for 10 years. Tom was an active member of First Baptist Church, and later, of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, attending Sunday School classes, small group Bible Studies, and worship services faithfully.

Tom took great joy in life, and his hobbies included dancing (shag), travel, and sports, most especially his beloved South Carolina Gamecocks. A proud recipient of the USC Distinguished Alumni and Friends Award in 2016, he and his wife B were devoted Gamecock fans who attended many of the Gamecock Athletic events along with their tailgating crew. A humble man with a great sense of humor, Tom had a warm and accepting way about him, always making others feel comfortable in his presence. His faith was strong and abiding in good times and in bad, and he freely shared the love of Christ with those he met through a listening ear, a nod, a hand squeeze, or a gentle smile.

A service of Death and Resurrection will be held at 3:00 in the afternoon on Sunday, August 6 at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, 3401 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC, 29204. The family will receive guests in the Church Dining Room following the service, and they request that memorials be made to the Music Ministry of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church or to the Sales and Marketing Department of USC.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family