Beth Jacks

Beth Boswell Jacks, 82, passed away on May 10, 2026. A visitation will be held on May 18, 2026 at St. Luke United Methodist Church from 10:00 - 11:00 am followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 am.

Beth was born on January 18, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, to Edith Mitchell Boswell and William Sanford Boswell, Sr. Her family soon moved to Cleveland, Mississippi where Beth grew up, raised her children, and called home for more than 70 years.She graduated from Cleveland High School in 1962 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Music from Millsaps College in 1966. She continued her education by earning a Masters degree in Special Education from the University of Mississippi. After earning her masters, Beth became the first special education teacher in Lafayette County, Mississippi.

On May 7, 1966, Beth married her high school sweetheart, Gerald Jacks, in Cleveland, Mississippi. Throughout her life, she shared her many gifts as an educator, writer, musician, actress, and community volunteer. She taught in the Cleveland, Oxford, and Vicksburg public school systems and wrote for children's magazines and literary journals. Her weekly personal essay columns appeared in 15 newspapers across the South.

Beth authored three books: Grit, Guts, and Baseball: The Stories of Coach Sank Powe, Snippets, and Snippets II. She also founded and edited USADeepSouth.com, a website dedicated to giving Southern writers a place to share their stories and voices.

A gifted musician and performer, Beth appeared in numerous theater productions throughout her life, wrote and directed children's musicals, and faithfully served St. Luke United Methodist Church as organist, choir member, and Sunday School teacher. Creative and deeply devoted to her family, she loved music, playing the piano, and cheering on her children and grandchildren in their many activities and accomplishments. Her faith and servant's heart were reflected in the countless ways she gave herself to her family, friends, church and community.

Beth is preceded in death by her parents Edith Mitchell Boswell and William Sanford Boswell, Sr, her husband, Gerald Jacks. her brother Bill Boswell, Jr, and brothers in law Warner Wadlington and Tom Kimbro.

She is survived by her daughters Emily Jacks Mosley (Don) and Bethany Jacks Dowdy (Charles); sons, Will Jacks and Tom Jacks (Katie); her two sisters, Kathy Boswell Nichols (Tom) and Melanie Boswell Wadlington; eight grandchildren, Meredith Mosley, Caroline Mosley, Wayne Dowdy, Beth Dowdy, Jacks Dowdy, Wilkins Dowdy, Lila Jacks and Hanson Jacks; sisters in law Miriam Jacks Kimbro and Nancy Davis Boswell; numerous nieces and nephews; and faithful caregiver, Erica Topping.

The family deeply appreciates the dedicated care and outpouring of love given to Beth during her last three years at Crowne Healthcare of Springhill in Mobile, Alabama. The Crowne employees, Cornerstone caregivers, and Springhill Hospice team loved and embraced Beth and gave her dignity and respect throughout her final years.

Memorial donations can be made in Beth's name to Millsaps College, Delta Arts Alliance, and St. Luke United Methodist Church.