Early Life in Jackson
Jack was the youngest son of parents who had previously married, raised families, and then lost their spouses. When AC White and Nancy Ellen Watson Godwin married probably neither expected another child but they were blessed with Jack. AC was 53 years old and Nancy Ellen was 40 when he was born. Jack grew up with six much older half siblings, 3 from his father's first marriage and 3 from his mother's. As a very young boy he was reported to have said, "half brothers, half sisters, I might was well just throw myself in front of a train. I don't have a whole anything!" However this joke belies the deep relationship he had with his siblings. Especially dear to him were his sisters Hilda and DeLana. These two women were known for their sweet natures and doted on their baby brother completely. Relatives in Jackson reported that his sisters talked glowingly of him and when he came to town to visit from Florida, it was no holds barred. He distinguished himself in school, showing early aptitude in all types of learning. He was equally apt to show his toughness, never backing down from a schoolyard fight and routinely took on older boys and won.