Lonnie Jackson Memorial Plaza - Columbus, GA
N 32° 27.743 W 084° 57.238
16S E 692300 N 3593532
The Lonnie Jackson Memorial Plaza is a triangular park at the intersection of Buena Vista Rd. and Lawyer's Lane. It shares the park with a Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Waymark Code: WMA8QK
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 12/04/2010
Views: 2
The internet is void of much information about the local hero, Lonnie Jackson, except for one entry on his organization Combined Communities of Southeast Columbus (CCSC) and his namesake elementary school, Lonnie Jackson Elementary. No history of this life, career, or biography is available in 2010. However, there is an impressive memorial built to honor him that has quotes from noteable citizens of Columbus saying high praise for this man. This memorial plaza was dedicated in 2008. Mr. Jackson was an environmental activist, this much can be gleaned from research. His Communities of Southeast Columbus is a volunteer tutoring service and is also involved with enviromental awareness and clean-up. The website of the CCSC explains that it is: "A volunteer organization that offers tutoring (Sept. - June) for students at Lonnie Jackson Elementary, (formerly Eastway Elementary) and Eddy Middle School. In addition, the organization sponsors clean-up events in January and February and anti-litter campaigns throughout the year in the tri-community."(1) The local elementary school just down the road from this memorial was renamed as the Lonnie Jackson Elementary School in his honor.
Encircling the round monument are small plaques with thoughtful commemorations about Mr. Jackson. They read:
"Mr. Jackson was a committed man for the cause of humanity -- Rev. Dr. J. H. Flakes, Jr. Pastor Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church." // "Servant leadership forever evident in his commitment to community. -- SYNOVUS." // "A true servant leader - Lonnie Jackson lived his life putting service above self -- W C Bradley Co." // "Lonnie Jackson Memorial Committee. Co-Chairperson, Priscilla Marshall. Co-chairperson, Stan Stovall. Mayor,Jim Wetherington. Mayor Pro-Tem, Evelyn Turner-Pugh. City Manager, Isaiah Hugley. State Representative, Calvin Smyre. Senator, Ed Harbison. Congressman, Sanford D. Bishop. Tony Adams, C.C.G. Parks & Rec. Gary Gullate, Bullatte Associates, Inc. Mrs. Betty Jackson. Mrs. Lonya Jackson-Sarden. Rosa Hill. John Washington. Willie King, Sr. Gloria Weston-Smart, KCBC Executive Director" // In memory of a true friend! The purpose of life is a life of purpose. Thank you, Lonnie, for sharing your purpose in life. -- Willie King, Sr." // "Lonnie Jackson was our tourch. He was a light of inspiration. Our torch represented the hopes, dreams, and possibilities of what good leadership can do. -- Calvin Smyre, State Representative." // "Lesson Learned. Always care for others, always folow your dreams and if something needs to be done, don't sit back and wait for others. Go and do it. -- In loving memory, Lonya Jackson-Sarden and Mrs. Betty Jackson." // "In loving memory of Mr. Lonnnie Jackson. SCF (Retired U. S. Army). Founder of Combined Communities of Southeast Columbus (CCSC)." // "Anti-Litter & Beautification Pledge. I shall never knowingly, willingly, or intentionally litter. I shall do all that I can to keep my school and my community clean and beautiful. I shall help make my school the cleanest in Columbus and help make my city the cleanest in the State of Georgia. So help me, I shall, I shall. -- Mr. Lonnie Jackson." // "Lonnie Jackson has done the Lord's excellent work. -- Rev. James Alexander, St. Paul AME Church."
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