Arthur Lee Jackson, 79, of Mexico, Missouri passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at his home surrounded by loved ones.

Visitation and funeral services will be Friday, May 12, 2023, at Pickering Funeral Home in Mexico, Missouri. The visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., with the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

Arthur "Art" Lee Jackson was born October 19, 1943, in Mexico, Missouri. He was the fourth of 14 children born to Herbert F. Jackson, Sr. and Beatrice (Lue) Jackson. He married Janice K. Williams. She preceded him in death on March 25, 1986.

Art graduated from Mexico Senior High School. After his high school graduation, Art moved to Kansas City, Missouri to attend the Madam C. J. Walker Beauty Academy. Upon graduating from the beauty academy, Art returned to Mexico and was the owner and operator of Art's Beauty Salon. While Art was the beautician, his brother, Gary Jackson, was the barber. Art's Beauty Salon was the longest-running Black business in the Mexico area. After 53 years of business, Art and Gary closed the salon and retired in 2021. Lovingly, the salon is remembered as the bright yellow house at the corner of Trinity and Liberty. Art, Gary, and their business were an integral part of the Black community.

Art knew and loved God. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul C. M. E. Church. In recent years, he served on St. Paul's Trustee Board. Additionally, Art loved sports. He was a devoted Mexico High School Bulldog fan, as well as a Mizzou Tiger fan. On Sundays, Art could be found channel surfing for NFL or NBA games.

Left to cherish his memory are one daughter, DeAnn Gould of Overland Park, Kansas; two sons, Elliott Jackson of Overland Park, Kansas, and Wade (Regina) Jackson of Mexico, Missouri; his faithful companion, Bettye Simmons of Fulton, Missouri; five grandchildren, Keith Caldwell of Kansas City, Missouri, Kaylee and Delayne Jackson of Mexico, Missouri, Philisha Sadberry and Sydnee Jackson of Overland Park, Kansas; two great-grandchildren, Serinity and Treyshawn Jackson of Mexico, Missouri; three brothers, Larry and Lowell (Jaye) Jackson of Mexico, Missouri, and Ivan (Eula) Jackson of Cordova, Tennessee; seven sisters, Elaine (Larry) Bell and Jaclyn (Richard) White of Mexico, Missouri, Carol (Raymond) Williams, Peoria, Illinois, Alice and Bobbette Jackson of Mexico, Missouri, Maria Jackson of Columbia, Missouri, and Rita Jackson of Mexico, Missouri; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Art was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jordan Kay Jackson; sister, Tereatha Richardson; two brothers, Herbert Jackson, Jr, and Gary Jackson; brothers-in-law, Ralph and Ronald Williams; and sisters-in-law, Peggy Brown, Jessie and Freddie Mae Jackson.

Memorial donations, given to the donor's charity of choice, may be sent via Pickering Funeral Home at 403 North Western, Mexico, Missouri 65265.