The youngest of eleven children, Robert Brooks Jackson was born November 01, 1938 in Temple, TX on a farm in a tin roof house on Bottoms Road. He transitioned from this earthly life September 09, 2021 now taking his heavenly rest.
Robert married his wife Edna Jackson of 54 years in 1961 and to this union was born six children. He also was the father of two additional children. He was an active and engaged family man. Known by other endearing names: Bro. Jackson, Bert, Jack, Uncle Robert, and just Jackson.
Robert had two passions, gospel music and his family. He absolutely delighted in singing gospel music and playing his guitar. At the age of 13, inspired by his father, older brothers and sisters with talents that included violin, guitar, piano and choral and quartet singing, Robert began his music ministry. Over the years he was member of a few gospel groups but most notably the Sensational Soul Lifters, and Harps of Zion whom produced and recorded in 1974 a 45 RPM, ‘Here Am I’ and ‘Let God Abide’. Later he would manage his family’s singing group, the Gulf Coast Jubilees. In 1998, he received a Certification of Commendation from Corpus Christi Mayor Lloyd Neal for willingly using his talents to perform at countless events, and church functions around the state to further music ministry. He was a colorful story teller often using Black folktales and metaphors during conversations. He loved his family. He enjoyed sharing stories of childhood memories and of his ancestors inspiring the Jackson-Moore family tree book, Maintaining Family Ties from a Common Thread.
Robert served in active-duty Army Reserves in which he toured playing guitar as part of special services country and western band. As a state champion basketball player for Dunbar High School, Robert earned a college scholarship and attended HBCU Paul Quinn College majoring in Math and minoring in Physical Education. He earned a certification in Air Conditioning and Refrigerator Del Mar Technical College. He also received a certificate in Welding from Gulf Star Refinery. He retired in 2000 from Flour Bluff ISD after 26 years’ service supervising and doing grounds maintenance. He was beloved by the administration, staff and students alike- everyone knew the friendly Mr. Jackson.
His faith and spiritual journey led to a long-time fellowship at Greater Shiloh Church of God in Christ. There he served as Deacon, participated in Men’s Ministry Department, and the Music Ministry. He enjoyed participating in Sunday School and Bible Study. He also tutored youth and adults in the church in music and guitar.
Robert is preceded in death by his wife Edna Jackson; daughter Roxane Jackson; parents: Stanley and Carrie Jackson; sisters: Gracie Jackson, Martha Manning and Ora Lee Houston; brothers: Jessie, Stanley, Henry, Arthur, and Raymond Jackson.
He is survived by his 7 children: Danny (Lisa) Jackson; Lyndon Jackson; Sherry (Steve) Peterson; Robert Jackson; Terri (Walter) Young; Patrick Moffett; Clifton (Felicia) Moffett; sisters, Niece Mae Jenkins and Doris Faye Lester; 35 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and dear friends.
Visitation will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 12:00 PM. Celebration of Life Services will follow at 1:00 PM with burial at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryGardensFuneralHome.com for the Jackson family.
