Johnnie Willie "Cat" Jackson Jr., 48

Johnnie W. Jackson Jr. transitioned to his heavenly home on April 19, 2021 after a battle with cancer with the love of his family surrounding him.

Johnnie (affectionately known as “Cat or Uncle Cat”) was born on August 29, 1973 in Stanford, Connecticut to Johnnie Sr and Charity Mae Jackson. He moved to Lakeland at an early age to live with his maternal grandmother, Minnie Moore. He was educated in Polk County Schools and graduated from high school from his beloved Kathleen High School. He earned his Associates Degree from Polk Community College and his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of South Florida. He furthered his education by earning his Master’s Degree from Nova Southeastern University. With a strong work ethic engrained inside, he worked at Publix Supermarkets for a decade before he began his career as an educator. He was employed by Polk County Schools for twenty-three years. He taught and served as Dean and Principal at several schools, but he received his dream job, Principal of Kathleen High School in 2018. While pursuing his career goals, he met the love of his life, Sybille Oldham and together they formed life-long friendship, partnership and ultimately marriage.

Johnnie was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hudson and Minnie Moore; paternal grandparents, Henry Jackson and Nellie Thomas; and siblings, Kimberly McGriff, Hudson Vance, and Jonta Jackson. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Sybille and precious son, Jaaron; his parents Johnnie Sr. and Charity Mae Jackson, siblings Delois Stribling and Von McGriff of Lakeland, and Angela and Bernice Jackson of Dallas, TX; two uncles, Herbert Moore (Vaunita) of Lake Wales and Marion Moore (Donna) of Lakeland; great aunts, Leatha Aikins of Orlando and Lillie Mae Ghent of Bartow; in-laws, Harry Oldham III and Carrie Oldham of Lakeland; three sisters-in-law, Arlalia Wesley (Oscar) of Lakeland, Ashley Jackson (Jemoral) of Orlando, and Keysha Ross of Seattle, WA; one brother-in-law, Harry Oldham IV (Tasha) of Tampa and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Condolences may be sent to the family at Oldham Funeral Home.