Robert Lee "Bobby" Jackson

December 20, 1941 - February 15, 2021

The family of Robert Lee “Bobby” Jackson is sad to announce his passing on Presidents Day, Monday February 15, at age 79 years from heart complications in Nashville, Tennessee. Bobby is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of thirty one years, Sherrie Lowe Jackson, of Franklin, TN; brother, Eugene Deadrick “Rick” Jackson III (Judy) of Austin, TX and sister, Mary Jackson Green of Charlotte, NC; son, Robert Todd Jackson (Ann) of Franklin, TN and daughters Jennifer Jackson Kanyuh (Michael) of Murfreesboro, TN and Robin Jackson Faber (John) of Nashville, TN; sons by marriage, William Brent Goodman (Andrea) of Nolensville, TN and Blake Thomas Goodman of Atlanta, GA. Bobby had twelve grandchildren; Robert Lee Jackson (Bridgett), Markham Todd Jackson, Olivia Ann Jackson, Makenzie Kanyuh Young (Jonathan), Hannah Madison Kanyuh, Roman Lee Jackson, Blair Jackson Boone (Dustin), Dorothy Evelyn “Ellie” Faber, Margaret “Maggie” Gwynne Faber, Sarah Katherine Faber, William Bennett Goodman, and Everett Lee Goodman; great grandchildren Seraphina “Sally” Jackson and Granger Hayes Boone; nephew, Eugene Deadrick Jackson IV and nieces Karen Jackson, Libra Green Deaton (David) and Jessica Green Brick (Kevin). Bobby was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Deadrick Jackson, Jr. and mother, Sarah Ruth “Sally” Green Jackson both of Nashville, TN; and his son, Terry Lee Jackson of Smyrna, TN. Bobby was born on December 20, 1941 in Nashville, TN. He graduated from Madison High School in 1959 where he was voted “Most Mischievous” by his classmates and was also a member of the Rams football team coached by the late Bill Brimm. Bobby later attended Vanderbilt University and became one of the first persons to graduate in 1965 from a special program that allowed him to complete both degrees in the undergraduate school and law school in a six year program as opposed to seven years. Bobby started his 55 year long career with his father, Eugene D. Jackson Jr., from 1965 until 1977 in the Nashville law firm known as “Jackson, Tanner and Reynolds”, and then with his son, Robert Todd Jackson, from 1989 until 1998 in the law firm known as “Jackson and Associates”. He continued his private practice until his death in association with the following attorneys at different times over the years; Jim Badger, David Garrett, Elizabeth Garrett, Laura Goodall, Larry Hayes, Stan Kweller, Trent Lehman, Bryan Lewis, Rob McKinney and longtime office manager and friend Sarah Schmidt. Bobby was known as a fearless advocate for his clients and became a legend to many lawyers, jurists, and his clients during that time. He was one of the first Nashville lawyers to be named one of the “Best Lawyers In America” by the organization and publication in the 1980's, and his legal practice was also named one of the “Best Law Firms In The City” by U.S. News & World Report. Bobby was proud to have earned an “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell, the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards in the profession based on peer review only. Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area has lost one of its most experienced and finest legal minds in Bobby’s passing. Bobby was the fifth of seven consecutive generations of Jackson men to practice law in the State of Tennessee since the approximately 1850's. Bobby’s son, Todd, is the sixth generation, and his grandsons, Lee and Mark, are the seventh generation of Jackson lawyers to practice law in the State of Tennessee. Throughout his career, Bobby was a mentor to many of Nashville’s finest lawyers and jurists. In the last two decades, he had become one of the best mediators (more than 2000 cases) in family law matters in Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area and was affectionately known as “The Closer” due to his ability to resolve contentious matters between parties going through divorces or post-divorce issues. Bobby was a lawyer’s lawyer and represented many lawyers in their own personal family law matters throughout his career. Outside of the courtroom, Bobby was one of the most personable and charming men to be around. Over the years, he and Sherrie maintained a close group of friends who they love dearly. He enjoyed vacationing and eating out with these close friends as well as his family. Some of their favorite places to visit were Destin and Naples, FL, New York, and Atlanta, GA. Some of his favorite restaurants were The Palm in downtown Nashville where his caricature is featured twice on the walls of the restaurant and Bricktops where the staff affectionately referred to him as “Uncle Bobby”. Bobby’s love for his family, friends, and work were all closely followed by his love for items of the past which was clearly evident to those who visited his office or home. He loved antique/muscle cars, guitars, vintage juke boxes, vintage toys, anything Elvis related, and memorabilia from WWII with a special affinity for Sir Winston Churchill and Douglas MacArthur. He spent a lot of time attending flea markets and antique malls searching for these items to buy and sell (recently this trading transitioned to eBay). Many of his family and friends would join him on trips following his passions, including trips to Mecum’s muscle car auctions in Indianapolis, and trips to Hershey and Carlyle, PA for car shows. One of Bobby’s pride and joy antique cars was his blue 1941 Buick Coupe which made the cover of a Nashville magazine many years ago. Active pall bearers are Bobby’s children, and grandchildren. Honorary pall bearers are his close personal friends; active lawyers and jurists who have worked with Bobby throughout his career; Nashville Bar Association members; Williamson County Bar Association members; and Tennessee Bar Association members. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Centennial Heart, H.A.R.T. Inc., and Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Department of Cardiac Surgery. A graveside service and burial at Woodlawn Cemetery is currently scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2021 for the immediate family. A celebration of life gathering for Bobby’s family, friends, and colleagues will be determined at a later date. The funeral arrangements have been made by Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home. The family extends their gratitude and appreciation to all who touched Bobby’s life. He will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. Those who knew him best know that Bobby’s favorite saying was “Oh My God, Miss Agnes.” So from Bobby’s family, we say “Oh My God, Miss Agnes, we will miss you!”