Cynthia Carson Jackson

Cyndi was born on January 18, 1959, to Sheriff Dale G. Carson and Doris N. Carson, M.D., in Jacksonville, Florida. She inherited the well-remembered wit of Sheriff Carson and the intellect of Dr. Carson. Cyndi attended The Bolles School (class of 1977) before continuing her studies at Tulane University, the London School of Economics, and Florida State University. In 1983, she married the love of her life and her best friend, Aubrey “Dale” Jackson, while on her way to completing her law degree at the University of Florida in 1984. Dale, a firefighter retired from service with Jacksonville International Airport, fondly recalls that Cyndi drove from Jacksonville to Gainesville almost every day to attend classes, before coming back home to cook dinner, put him to bed, and study. Cyndi was indefatigable.

Upon graduating law school, Cyndi served as a city attorney for the City of Jacksonville, before continuing her storied legal career at Jacksonville law firm Smith Hulsey & Busey, under the tutelage of Steve Busey. Cyndi was a corporate bankruptcy attorney and worked her way up to become one of the earliest female bankruptcy partners in Jacksonville. In her 29 years at Smith Hulsey, Cyndi assisted in the bankruptcy cases of The Charter Company, Circle K Corporation, Sawgrass Marriott, and Winn-Dixie, among others.

Cyndi’s hard work and dedication elevated her to the highest levels of her profession. In 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit appointed her to serve as a United States Bankruptcy Judge. Cyndi felt proud to serve her community as one of the select few bankruptcy judges in the country. Although this appointment required relocation to Orlando, she was able to return home to Jacksonville at the beginning of 2020.

In between excelling at her legal career and taming her husband, Cyndi found time to give birth to three children. Trace, born in 1989, began his career as a mathematics scholar, before following in his mother’s footsteps by studying at the University of Florida, and is now an intellectual property lawyer. In 1993, Cyndi gave birth to twins, Lillian and Courtney. Lillian, a dedicated student like her mother, earned her economics degree from the University of North Florida and is now a financial analyst. Courtney took after her grandmother, serving in the local medical community for many years, and is now a Physician Associate. Cyndi was unwaveringly proud of her children and delighted in sharing in their accomplishments.

Cyndi’s family of five was, and remains, inseparable. They loved to travel, especially to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. Most of all, they loved casual evenings of laughter and family time. Cyndi could turn any family event—dinner out, a bowling excursion, an escape room, a game night, or even watching Jeopardy!—into a night her children would cherish forever. Nothing meant more to Cyndi than enjoying time with her family.

Cyndi was also a woman of many hobbies. She was a strong believer in community service, volunteering as a poll watcher and providing assistance to underserved children. After a long day of work, Cyndi could always be found on her back porch, contemplating sunset views of the St. Johns River or Lake Minnehaha, and immersing herself in a good book. She enjoyed a quiet, meaningful, and fulfilling life filled with friends, community, and family.

Cyndi was known for her quick wit, her infectious laugh, her empathetic ear, and her compassionate and generous spirit to all. She could always turn a stranger into a new friend. To know her was to love her.

In July 2020, due in part to an untreated infection she received at Baptist Medical Center, Cyndi suffered a stroke. This stroke led to six months of hospitalization for a multitude of critical medical issues resulting from that infection. Cyndi fought bravely to return to her family. She succeeded. The stroke took her ability to walk, talk, read, write, stand, and exist without pain, but it did not—and could not—take her ability to love her friends and family, or her friends and family’s ability to love her. Her valiant fight gave her an extra 1000 days with her friends and family. Unfortunately, complications from that infection untimely took her on April 21, 2023.

Cyndi is survived by her husband, her children, her brothers (Dale Craig Carson and Christopher Carson), many other cherished family members, and a vast community of friends, family, and colleagues. Her loss creates a hole in the community that cannot be filled. Her legacy inspires those who were fortunate enough to know her to love fiercely, laugh easily, and be grateful always.

Cyndi’s memorial service will be held at Riverside Presbyterian Church on May 6, 2023, at 2:00 pm. Donations can be made in lieu of flowers here: https://everloved.com/life-of/cynthia-jackson/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Jackson family.