Jacob "Jake" Landers

Jacob “Jake” Landers of Muscle Shoals, AL passed away February 13th, 2018 at 4:30 am after an extended illness.  He was born on August 14th, 1938 in Colbert County, Alabama. 

He was preceded in death by his mother Maceline Vandiver, step-father Clyde Vandiver, sister Stella Vandiver, brothers Bo and Terry Vandiver and his beloved daughter, Wanda Lynn Landers.

Jake graduated from Colbert County High School in 1956.  After graduation, he joined the United States Army where he proudly served his country for 42 years before retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant.  During his military career, Jake received over a dozen medals for exemplary service; some of which include the National Defense Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Humanitarian Service Medal.

Aside from the military, where he worked hard to provide for his family, his passion in life was playing music and writing songs.  This God-given gift began when he was a young boy and was honed over a lifetime.  Jake was an accomplished musician and could play multiple instruments.  However, his instrument of choice was the guitar.   In addition, Jake was a prolific song writer.   He has written hundreds of songs; which have been played and/or recorded by many other artists from all over the world.  He was always working on a new song, and in fact, an unfinished song remains on his desk today.  Jake enjoyed touring and singing with his friends.  He has received many accolades for his musical abilities, including a Double Platinum album and Grammy nomination for his song “Walk Softly on this Heart of Mine”.  Jake was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, the Alabama Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and received the Alabama Folk Heritage Award for his contributions to the Arts of Alabama.   There is also a scholarship endowment award in his name to Athens State College for the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Association.

Jake met his wife, Jo Ann, when they were teenagers and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.  Jo Ann was the inspiration for the first song he wrote and many more thereafter.   Jake’s greatest love and joy was his family.  He cherished his children and adored his grandchildren.  He was a loving, caring and nurturing husband, father and grandfather.  Above all of these, for which he was “richly blessed”, he gave all the glory to God.  He was grounded in his faith and was a lifetime member of Highland Park Baptist Church.  His testament of his faith is evident in the numerous gospel songs he has written.  He will labor no more on this earth, for he can now reside with his Heavenly Father.

He is survived by his loving wife Jo Ann (Priest), son Richard Alan Landers (Candy), daughter Phyllis Ann Landers, daughter Karen Landers Stocksett (Jerry), grandchildren, Robert Hill Pinkston IV, Rachel Elizabeth Stocksett, Chloe Ann Stocksett, Jaci Nicole Stocksett, Savannah Brooke Landers, and Megan Elise Landers.  Also by brother Leslie “Junior” Landers and sister Carolyn Vandiver, Alice Vandiver and Sheila Martin.

Visitation will be 11 am – 2 pm on Friday 16th, 2018 at Greenview Funeral Home, Florence, AL. The service will begin after visitation at Greenview Memorial Chapel with Licia House, Warren Glass and Tony Robertson officiating.  Burial will follow at Greenview Memorial Park where Jake will receive full military honors provided by the United States Army and the American Legion Post 31 of Tuscumbia, Alabama.  Pallbearers are Tony Robertson, Vance Henry, Tony Lee, Robert “Scooter” Muse, Ricky Rogers, and William Smith.

The family would like to thank all of their friends for their love and support.  We thank the nurses, Dr. Dedji and the consulting staff at ECM hospital and Mitchell-Hollingsworth rehabilitation center.   The family would like to extend a special thanks to Drs. True, Longmire, Thomas and Shergy who provided his care for many years.

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