Elwood Jackson

We bid farewell to our father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Elwood (Eddie) Jackson, who departed from this world on February 26, 2025, at the age of 85. He was born on September 28, 1939, in Stafford County, Virgina to the late Mildren Vines Jackson and David Dozel Jackson. Elwood was one of 9 children. On November 25, 1988, Elwood married the love of his life Lelia Salters. Before his retirement, Elwood worked in maintenance at the Hamden Health Care Facility. Elwood loved his family furiously and if he considered you his friend, you had a friend for life. He had a good heart and was always willing to help the person in need. He was a member of Mt. Zion Church in New Haven, where the late Bishop George Grannison presided. He enjoyed singing on the men’s chorus while he was in attendance. Elwood’s favorite pastime was attending the Jackson Family Reunions in Virginia, fishing, watching, and attending wrestling events, western tv shows and playing with his four-legged friend Diamond, who would always accompany him outside. His favorite sayings were “yeah sure, pay the cost to be the boss, and hey hey.” Often, we would hear him sing to a tune that he made up titled “If you ain’t got no money you don’t have no honey.” Amongst many things the first thing you would notice when you encountered his presence, was his beautiful grey eyes. The running joke between him and his grandchildren was that he was related to the Jacksons. We never did meet Janet, Michael, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon, Randy, Jackie, or Rebie. He genuinely believed this and was going to call Joe Jackson as proof, of course that call never happened. He kept everyone laughing even through challenging times. Elwood was preceded in death by his wife Lelia Salters Jackson, son Willie Salters, parents Mildren Vines Jackson and David Dozel Jackson; 4 brothers, Freddie Jackson, Calvin Jackson, Roy Jackson, Lester Jackson; 4 sisters Beatrice Carter, Vivian Chapman, Ola Jackson, and Mariella Herring. Elwood is survived by his two sons , Issac Oliver (Sherice) of Hamden, CT, Charles Salters (Lisa) of East Haven, CT; 3 daughters Debra Baker of Oklahoma, Nijja Jackson and Yvonne Salters-Hammonds with whom he resided of West Haven, CT. Grandchildren Yolanda Brown, Eric Veney, Rishon Salters, Shayna Jordan (Levi), Gregory Bowden (Maxine), Kenajha Hammonds, Jaymar Talley, Issac Oliver, Jr, Elise Oliver; 28 grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Elwood, affectionately called pops by some and hurricane by others will be missed immensely. His absence will be felt but the fond memories will remain.

Elwood Jackson

September 28, 1939 - February 26, 2025