COLUMBIA, S.C. — The late Rev. Jesse Jackson is being honored in South Carolina on Monday, with a public visitation at the State House and later a memorial service at Brookland Baptist Church.

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.

In addition to his family, among those in attendance for the ceremony preceding the public visitation are U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Santee, state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, state Rep. Gilda Cobb Hunter, and many members of the Legislative Black Caucus.

“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.

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.

By 11:30 a.m., hundreds of attendees wrapped around the State House waiting to see Jackson lying in state. During the service, people from all over the state and Southeast lined up outside the State House.

A steady stream of people walked through the second floor lobby, some briefly stopped to reflect. Some took photos of the casket as they passed through the second floor lobby.

Ahead of the service, people from all over the state and southeast lined up outside the State House. Gwendolyn Adams, who traveled from Atlanta but grew up in Greenville, said it was important for her to pay her respects to Jackson.

“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.”

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