Christopher "Grady" Jackson

May 24, 2002 – November 6, 2020

Christopher “Grady” Jackson, 18, of Memphis passed away on November 6, 2020, in Paducah, KY in a work related accident.

Grady was a 2020 graduate of Harding Academy. While attending Harding, Grady played varsity football, ran track, and participated in discus and shotput. He served as the manager for the varsity basketball team. He was an active participant in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a basketball player.

To know Grady was to love Grady. He was one of the kindest and most loyal guys you could ever meet. He would drop anything he was doing if he felt like he could lend a hand to a friend in need. He would laugh with you, cry with you, and make you laugh until you cried. He had an infectious personality and could fit into any group. He will be missed by countless friends and family.

Grady is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Scotty Little and Harvle Jackson.

Grady is survived by his mother Michelle Rea (David); his father Paul Jackson (DeAnna); his grandmothers Ann Little and Lynda Jackson; his brothers Zachary Ryan and Matthew Rawson; his sisters Courtney Jackson, Grace Jackson, Hannah Jackson, and Katelyn Rea; his aunts Kristy Little and Lisa Stachowski (Steve); his uncle Mark Jackson; cousins Parker Jackson and Thomas Jackson; and nephew Tatum Ryan.

Pallbearers will be Zachary Ryan, Matthew Rawson, Parker Jackson, Thomas Jackson, Paul Jackson, and Mark Jackson.

Funeral service will be held on November 13, 2020 at 5:00pm at Harding Academy Lions Field, 1100 Cherry Road, Memphis, TN. Seating of family and guests will begin at 4:00pm. Committal Service will be held on November 14, 2020 at 10:00am at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN.

Memorials may be made to the Scotty Little and Grady Jackson Scholarship Fund at Harding Academy.

A memorial video made by Grady's family can be found here. https://vimeo.com/478186948/cfd9828952

Dear Harding Family,

As many of you know, we were devastated to learn of the passing of Grady Jackson, class of 2020, in a tragic workplace accident. On Friday, November 13 at 5:00 pm, Harding Academy will host a memorial service and funeral in his honor. We are proud to be able to host this outdoor event in our stadium in his honor, and welcome Grady’s teachers and friends to attend.

Because of the global pandemic, we have had to implement several protocols to ensure this is a safe event for all included. If you are uncomfortable or unable to attend, we will be livestreaming the event at this link. Also, there is a slideshow of some memories of Grady that we will be unable to show at this venue made available by the funeral home.

Please read the following carefully if you plan to attend, so that we can ensure the safety of all attendees.

1. You may arrive at the stadium from 4:00-5:00. As you enter, you will have to answer some COVID screening questions and have your temperature taken.

2. As you enter, you may choose to pass by the open casket to pay your respects before heading to you seat.

3. There will be no receiving line of family either before or after the event. However, you are encouraged to bring a card or note expressing your sympathy or sharing your favorite memory of Grady. These may be deposited in one of the baskets by the programs as you arrive and will be handed to the family at the conclusion of the event.

4. All current and former football players are encouraged to wear their jerseys. For former players, jerseys will be available by the high jump pit, and can be returned to a basket following the service.

5. Seating is first-come, first-served in the home bleachers, visitor bleachers, or on the hill

around the stadium. You are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. In the bleachers, seating is marked. On the grass, we ask that you ensure a minimum social distance of six feet between families. The family will be seated on the track, but all others need to sit off of the track area, as it will be used throughout the service.

6. Masks must be worn at all times.

7. We will have some restroom facilities open and available, as well as some hand sanitizer stations around for your convenience.

8. At the conclusion of the service, please leave Harding promptly, avoiding lingering or grouping up for conversation.

9. If you are interested, you may attend the graveside burial on Saturday, November 14 at 10:00 a.m. The graveside service and burial will be at Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Parkway, 38133.

We deeply mourn the loss of a dear member of the Harding family, and thank you for understanding these important protocols so that we can mourn together safely. We rest in the promise of Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”