Memorial Service in memory of Willie A. Jackson, Sr. (Tunnie, Will) August 18, 1938 - October 31, 1999 Saturday, November 6, 1999 12 Noon Mt. Vernon Baptist Church 351 Joseph Avenue Rochester, NY 14605 Dr. Harmon E. Stockdale, Pastor Willie A. Jackson, Sr. (Tunnie, Will) Willie (Tunnie) A. Jackson, Sr. passed away with his wife Mitzi Schwenk on October 31, 1999. Survived by his children: Willie A. Jackson, Jr. Roxanne Jackson (FL) Gary Jackson Cary Jackson (FL) Cassandra (Michael) Claboine Grandchildren Michael Wilder (FL) Sheretta Rumph Jordan Claboine Kristina Jackson Alexandra Robbins-Jackson Alan Claboine His first wife and friend Jean Ann Jackson Uncles Jesse (Mary) Prescott Norman Prescott Parnell Jackson (GA) Aunts Lureatha Greene (GA) Sophie Greene (GA) Stepmother Betty Watson Special friend Jack Syage and many many more special relatives and friends. Order of Service Musical Prelude Selection - "His Eye Is On The S parrow" Sherell Thomas Scripture Reading Prayer Acknowledgements . . ................... Diane Alexander T r i b u t e s ............. ........... Selected Individuals Selection - "Don't Cry for M e" . . . .Sherell Thomas Open Remarks - Visiting Friends(2 minutes please) Scriptural Meditation . . .Dr. Harmon E. Stockdale Selection . ...................... .................Sis. Rita Mitchell Closing Prayer Benediction The family will receive guests following the ceremony at the Courtyard Marriott, Corporate Woods. Life in Review Born August 18, 1938 in Augusta, Georgia. He moved to Rochester, NY at an early age. In his earlier years he loved to play basketball and was a member of the Gaylords basketball team and club. He married Jean Ann Jackson in 1957, with whom he had five children. In 1964, he became the first Black Fireman in Rochester. When he resigned from the Fire Department, he went to work for the Eastman Kodak Company for almost 15 years. After meeting Mitzi Schwenk, he and Mitzi left Rochester to start their own business, Mitwill, Inc. He and Mitzi worked as Systems Consultants and lived in several cities before settling in Scotch Plains, NJ. Will was a devoted father, grandfa ther and loving person. He loved his children and had very special relationships with each of them. He always had a smile and embraced everyone so much, that he was more than just a father to his own children. Many of his nieces and nephews, as well as his children's friends looked up to him as a father. He also remained close to his first wife, Jean Ann and her family, as well as Jesse Prescott who was more like a brother to him than an uncle. Will and Mitzi loved to travel and sightsee. They have been to Europe, Greece, and Turkey, among other places, and were looking forward to cruising along the Nile River in Egypt. Family and friends were very important, and they often traveled with them. For the past nine years, they have hosted the Jackson Invitational Golf Tournament. The Jackson Invitational was more than a golf tournament; Mitzi organized a momentous event that included a phenomenal banquet and three days of fun for everyone who attended. Will had many interests and hobbies, including sports, reading, and photography. His longtime dream of taking his children and grandchildren on a vacation was achieved when he took them on a Caribbean cruise in March of this year. This trip was the highlight of his life and epitomized how he felt about his family. Above all of his many wonderful qualities, he was most noted for his devotion and love to his children and grandchildren. Acknowledgements The amount of love and support the family has received cannot be expressed in this small space. The family wishes to express sincere thanks to Dr. Stockdale and Vernon Baptist church and to the many friends and loved ones for each act of kindness. May God continue to bless you. A Man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 "Always A Part of Me" Angela B ofill It seems as soon as you appeared, you left me with all my memories. Try to look ahead, inspite of the struggles I've been through. But not a day goes by without having thoughts of you. No one ever said this would be easy, and I can't forget the depth of joy you brought to me. You were only with me for a while, but you'd hold me and console me in the times we had to share. Now I wish that you were here beside me to know just how much I care. It's time to start again, wipe away the tears. Finding the heart for moving on. Well it's gonna take some time to build a new tomorrow. But all the love we knew is bound to make me strong. You will always be a part of me, walking together, it doesn't matter where you are. You will always be part of me, You'll be forever in my heart.