LaCrystal Jeanne’ Jackson was born on June 21, 1976, to Jo Ellen Jackson and the late Eric Jackson in Chester, South Carolina. Our dearly departed, affectionately known as “Crystal,” ascended to Heaven on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
LaCrystal was educated in the Fairfield County School System, graduating from Fairfield Central High School in 1994. She then pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Davidson College in North Carolina. LaCrystal was extremely bright, driven and had a passion for learning. Her thirst for knowledge and dedication to personal and professional growth led her to obtain a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of South Carolina and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, all while maintaining a full-time job and raising her boys. Further demonstrating her commitment to excellence, LaCrystal completed the Project Management Fundamentals course at Midlands Technical College and achieved her Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. She was also a proud graduate of the esteemed Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative at Furman University.
LaCrystal was a hardworking woman who devoted countless hours to every role she held. Her dedication and brilliance allowed her to excel as a project manager, proposal/grant writer, consultant, and strategist. Her passion for learning and her drive to make a difference in every endeavor she undertook will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to work alongside her.
LaCrystal’s legacy of hard work, dedication, and love will continue to inspire those who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.
The Joy of the Journey
LaCrystal was a benevolent, charismatic, and loving person whose wardrobe was as colorful as she was. A social butterfly with an infectious laugh, she had an amazing ability to make everyone feel comfortable in her presence. Gifted in building meaningful relationships, her friends and social network included people from all different walks of life. She mastered making connections, whether for jobs, resources, or people, touching lives worldwide. To her family, friends, and communities, LaCrystal was every woman—a superwoman.
LaCrystal’s love for servant leadership shined brightly through her numerous volunteer roles, including serving on the board of Goodwill Industries of the Upstate/Midlands South Carolina, the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition, and Vice President of Administration of the South Carolina PMI Midlands Chapter. LaCrystal also developed a passion for politics, providing tireless support, volunteer management, and impeccable execution for successful local campaigns. She believed in getting involved in opportunities that uplifted people and bettered the community.
In the Spring of 2018, LaCrystal “the Decoder” Jackson joyfully became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Columbia Alumnae Chapter). Devoted to the organization’s principles of scholarship, public service, and sisterhood, she wore her crimson and cream with pride.
LaCrystal loved the Lord and was a prayer warrior, worshiper, and a woman of great faith. Grateful for God’s faithfulness and compassion, she walked out her faith by always giving to and helping others—being the hands and feet of Christ. She organized prayer calls and devotions to support friends and colleagues through various life challenges, including the weekly Workplace Wednesday Motivation for working professionals and Hannah’s Prayer Wall for those desiring children. Her special calling to minister to single mothers led her to provide guidance, resources, and babysitting. LaCrystal was a champion for women, supporting several women’s ministries throughout the state, helping others set bold life goals, and developing strategies to achieve them, all while fervently praying for their success.
Her Legacy
LaCrystal’s greatest joy was her two boys, Brandon and Nicholas. A devoted mother, LaCrystal was determined to ensure that her boys had strong mentors and role models. She connected with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition as a passionate advocate and supporter of these organizations. She faithfully loved her family and her close friends from every facet of her life.
In addition to her father, LaCrystal was preceded in death by her brother, Leroy Coad, Jr.
LaCrystal leaves to cherish and forever hold her timeless memories to her two beautiful children, Brandon A. Jackson and Nicholas D. Jackson; mother, Jo Ellen Jackson; two sisters, Patrice Darlene (John) Sanders and Octavia Pearson; one aunt, Hattie Mae Thompson; great aunt, Mattie Fae Johnson; six nephews, Johnathan Sanders, Leroy “Trey” Coad III, Raymonte Pearson, Katarious Pearson, Samal Pearson, and SaDavien Pearson; three nieces, Dollecia Brianna Coad, Shontavia Pearson, and Amirah Pearson; goddaughter, Tiyanna Woodard; special friend, Keithan McGowan; bonus brother, Dr. Shakeem Lane; bonus sister, Shonda Irby (Mark) Coe; special sister, Alana Odom (Derrick) Williams; special father figure, Heyward Bannister; and a host of close relatives and dear friends.