Francis Lee Jackson departed this life at Civista Medical Center in LaPlata, Maryland on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Francis was born on September 19, 1938 in Doncaster, Maryland to the late Rosalee and Henry Jackson.

He accepted Christ as his savior and became a member of the Mt. Hope Baptist Church in Nanjemoy, Maryland. He was known as "Sonny" or "Jack Rabbit" to many of those who knew him but we called him "Pop". He was educated in the Charles County Public School system, where he graduated from Pomonkey High School in 1956. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1962 serving a total of 6 years, including a tour in Vietnam before he was honorably discharged in 1968.

On December 31, 1966, he was united in holy matrimony to Ruth "Sugarbaby" Williams and this blissful union lasted for almost 44 years until his death.

He was employed at the United Parcel Service for over 27 years as a parcel sorter until his retirement in 1997.

He loved riding his motorcycle with the Independent CeeCee Riders Motorcycle Club. He enjoyed watching football, making his homemade wine while tinkering in his shed, family gatherings including Sugarbaby's Super Bowl Sunday chitterling feast, spending time with his good friend Winnie and sitting on the deck with his beloved dog Chico.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Rosalee Jackson, six uncles and four aunts.

In addition to his beloved wife, he leaves to cherish his precious memories, seven daughters, Cathie "Peaches" Williams, Bettie "Babysis" Burns Demery, Muriel "NeeCee" Burns, Irish "Boo Boo" Burns, Myra Queen (James), Frances "Frank" Jackson, Francine "Foo" Jackson; one son who unselfishly cared for him during the latter stage of his illness, Percel "Mannie" Jackson (Michelle); step-mother, Howardine Jackson, one brother, Minister Charles "Henny" Jackson (Hazel), one sister, Edna Proctor (Anthony), one aunt, Olene Thomas (Leo); ten grandchildren, Shanikqua Burns- Creech (Ben), Sheasaun Burns, Stayvon Burns, Shalon Burns, Leland Burns, Shannon Jackson, Percel Jackson, Jr., Shantria Burns, Trevaughn Jackson and a very dedicated granddaughter Italia Burns; ten great-grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Viewing, 8:30am until time of Service, 9:30am, Wednesday, December 23, 2009 in the Chapel of THORNTON Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road (State Route #227, Pomonkey) Indian Head, Maryland. Interment, Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Maryland.

Arrangements provided by Thornton Funeral Home.