He was born on August 24, 1949, received his B.S. in Psychology from Knoxville College, and his M.A. in Education and Counseling from Alabama State University. He and his wife, Dorothy, are the parents of four children- Kimberly, Terence, Thomas III, and Trumaine.

Representative Jackson serves as Director of the Upward Bound Program for Alabama Southern College, and Associate Pastor for Church of God in Christ. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, the National Black Caucus for State Legislators, the Alabama and National Education Associations, and the Kiwanis Club.

Representative Jackson has also served as past Vice-Chairman of the Clarke County Democratic Conference, as past President of the Clarke County Education Association, currently serves as Coordinator of the Thomasville Precinct-ADC and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Southwest Alabama Boys and Girls Club.