Joseph Essard Jackson

1951 - 2016

Bishop Dr. Joseph Essard Jackson, 65, beloved husband of Marsha (Gobay) Jackson, passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2016 surrounded by his family at the Hospital for Special Care. He was born in Negril, Jamaica to the late Redverse and Edna (Gordon) Jackson. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1963 and grew up in Springfield, MA. Dr. Joseph Essard Jackson was a third generation member of the Church of God. He served the church as a pastor and as a professor at Lee University and had traveled widely preaching at state and territorial conventions in the United States and abroad. His educational achievements include degrees and certifications from Westfield State College (B.S.), Yale Divinity School (M.A.R.), Harvard University Graduate School of Education (Certificate of Advanced Study), and Wesley Theological Seminary (D. Min.). He served as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) since 1994, and was treasurer from 1994-1995. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of World Relief Corporation. Dr. Jackson was recognized by Marquis' Who's Who in America, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999; Marquis' Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1994; Who's Who in American Christian Leadership, 1989; and in Outstanding Young Men of America, 1988. He authored Reclaiming Our Heritage, The Search for Black History in the Church of God, published in 1993, and has contributed numerous articles to professional journals. He was the founder and senior pastor of Word Christian Center Ministries. He was a featured speaker at National Conferences, Conventions and Camp Meetings and served on numerous Boards and Committees throughout the United States. Dr. Jackson was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle. He is survived by his wife, Marsha (Gobay) Jackson; his children, Joseph Essard Jackson, II, Jonathan N. Jackson and his wife Elizabeth of Cleveland, TN, Jayden E. and Jaylon E. Jackson both of East Hartford; his grandchildren, Jacob, Alexia, Gracelyn, and Celeb; his siblings, Ruel and Gershom Jackson both of Springfield, MA, Clayton and William Jackson both of Negril, Jamaica, and Loretta Jackson and Linda Jackson-Maciolek both of Springfield, MA; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, Daniel Joseph Jackson; and by his brother-in-law, Michael Maciolek. He will be dearly missed by his wife, children and extended family. His family will receive friends on Friday, June 17, 5:30-7:00 p.m., followed by a wake service at 7 p.m., and on Saturday, June 18, 8:00-9:00 a.m., at the Rehoboth Church of God, 1170 Blue Hills Ave., Bloomfield. A Homegoing Service will be held on Saturday, June 18, 9:00 a.m., at the Rehoboth Church of God. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Dr. Jackson's family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Bishop Dr. Joseph Essard Jackson Scholarship Fund, c/o Windsor Federal Savings, 250 Broad St., Windsor, CT 06095. The family has entrusted Carmon Windsor Funeral Home with the arrangements. For online condolences please visit, www.carmonfuneralhome.com.