Antwaun M. Jackson died helping to save two women and two children from drowning, North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, July 9, 2022. In the afternoon, several relatives, including two women, 33 and 24, and two girls, 7 and 6, were in the New River Inlet near its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean as the group of four reached a location where they no longer could touch the bottom. Suddenly struggling in a strong current after helping the girls use a bodyboard in shallow water, the women called out for help, alarming their relatives at the nearby beach, including Jackson, 40, production worker. A cousin of the two women and two girls, Jackson waded into the water, first moving toward other children closer to shore, then he swam to the area of the women, along with another female cousin, who helped the girls onto a bodyboard. The women recalled Jackson, who had moved beyond them, trying to push them from behind toward shore. Seeing a cluster of distressed swimmers, including Jackson, other men from separate groups also entered the water and helped to aid the women, girls, and female cousin back to safety in wadable water. All recovered without injury. Jackson remained stranded in the rough current and beyond the reach of some men and responding police officers, who took a rescue disc attached to a rope into the water which was thrown in Jackson’s direction to no effect. Ultimately, Jackson submerged, did not resurface, and could not be found by rescue crews that afternoon or in the days afterward. Jackson’s body has yet to be recovered.
10425-Obituary
Antwaun Monreo Jackson, 40 of Jacksonville, entered into eternal rest on Saturday July 9, 2022.
Antwaun M. Jackson, lovingly known as “Twaun Burger,” visited North Topsail Beach in Onslow County, NC, on Saturday, July 9, 2022, with his family. While enjoying the festivities, an unexpected change in the current put his family in jeopardy as they were being swept out to deeper waters. Without hesitation, Antwaun jumped into the dangerous tide and began pushing his family towards land. He was able to help family towards land. He was able to help secure the safety of several family members, including children, but at the expense of not being able to make ashore himself. He dedicated his life to ensuring his family’s happiness, security, and protection, even until his final breather.
He was a father and friend to many. He had the unique ability to fill every room with his light, which he willingly shared with each of us. A light and legacy that will continue to carry forth in his name. Echoes of his laughter will always fill our hearts, and memories of his smile will brighten even our darkest days. We mourn the loss of a wonderful father, son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend as a family. But we celebrate the life of a beautiful human being with a selfless and loving soul, whose love and sacrifice for his family knew no boundaries.
He is survived by his sons Takai Jackson, Na’tion Jackson, both of Newport News, Virginia, Princeton Craig of Jacksonville; daughters, Taynea Craig of Jacksonville, A’Janae Jackson of Newport News, Virginia; stepfather Adolph and mother Frances Pedro, both of Jacksonville; brother, Marvin Lee Jackson; sister, Monique Gibbs, both of Jacksonville.