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, Geneva 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 Jackson (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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