‘A life well lived, a job well done.’ South Carolina honors the Rev. Jesse Jackson
Hundreds of people honored the late Rev. Jesse Jackson in South Carolina on Monday with a public visitation at the State House and later a memorial at Brookland Baptist Church.
Many never met or knew Jackson personally. But his legacy of advocating for civil rights in the U.S. pushed hundreds to wait, sometimes for hours, to see Jackson lie in state. Jackson’s words and actions were important to attendees, who often quoted his speeches and slogans, and referenced his activism on a national stage.
“I think that we’ve got to keep hope alive,” Sumter resident Joe Rigsby said while waiting in line, quoting Jackson’s famous summer 1988 speech. “And even in a time when so many things are going on in America that are negative with the process of including everybody.”
Jackson, a civil rights leader who was with Martin Luther King Jr. when he was assassinated, died on Feb. 17, 2026.
The Greenville native was 84. In addition to Jackson lying in state at the South Carolina State House, flags were flown at half staff in his honor.
Jackson’s flag-draped casket rested on two pedestals in the second floor lobby next to the statue of John C. Calhoun. Jackson’s casket was flanked by two photos of him and U.S. and South Carolina flags. Two members of the Highway Patrol stood next the casket.
Behind the casket was a wreath with a ribbon that said “Son of South Carolina.”
He was brought to the State House from Leevy’s Funeral Home in Columbia through downtown via a caisson. His remains were carried into the State House by the South Carolina Highway Patrol Honor Guard.
Gwendolyn Adams, who traveled from Atlanta but grew up in Greenville, said it was important for her to pay her respects to Jackson. She arrived hours before the doors were open to the public, waiting outside during the chilly morning.
“I think he just made a great contribution as a soldier of justice and righteousness for civil rights,” Adams said. “Not just for African Americans, for all people. We are all God’s children, and I just felt the need to pay respects and my appreciation for what he’s done for America’s civil rights.”
‘A quarterback for justice’
A private ceremony preceded the public visitation of Jackson. In addition to his family, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Santee, state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, state Rep. Gilda Cobb Hunter and many members of the state Legislative Black Caucus attended and spoke.
Former state Rep. Bakari Sellers was in attendance with his son wearing a “Jackson for President 1984 Follow the Rainbow button.”
“Today we are here to celebrate a life well lived, a job well done,” Johnson said at the beginning of ceremony inside the State House.
The ceremony included renditions of Amazing Grace and Lift Every Voice and Sing.
“Jesse Jackson was a quarterback for justice,” state Sen. Karl Allen, D-Greenville, said during the State House ceremony.
The public pays its respects
After Monday’s ceremony, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, former Ambassador Andrew Young, Jackson’s family and former state Rep. James Felder, visited with Gov. Henry McMaster in his office.
McMaster, with several members of his staff, later walked through the lobby to pay his respects to Jackson. U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson also waited in line to honor Jackson on Monday afternoon.
By 11:30 a.m., hundreds of attendees wrapped around the State House waiting to see Jackson lying in state.
A steady stream of people walked through the second floor lobby Monday afternoon, some briefly stopped to reflect. Some took photos of the casket as they passed.
By 4:30 p.m., there wasn’t a line, and the final mourners went into the State House until 5 p.m. The casket was driven away just before 5:30 p.m.
Jack Spann, the former mayor of Pinewood and one of the last attendees to leave the State House, said Jackson inspired to him to get involved with politics. Spann sported his Omega Psi Phi jacket and hat, the same Divine Nine fraternity Jackson belonged to.
“To me, it felt really good to be here today,” Spann said.
This story was originally published March 2, 2026 at 10:36 AM.
