Page 2 - RJLJS - Legacy Program Black Version 2

Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.

he sun has set on the luminous life of an American patriot, his calling now fulfilled. The Rev. Jesse
TLouis Jackson, Sr. died, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at his home in Chicago at the age of 84 with his
loving family by his side.

It was a long and brave journey from sunrise to sunset for a man born into meager means, but who rose
to international power and prominence during an illustrious career spanning more than 60 years. Rev.
Jackson was known the world over for his relentless advocacy for civil, economic, social, and gender
rights in America and beyond.

Throughout the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Rev. Jackson stood shoulder to shoulder
with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other icons of the era. During the often-perilous marches they led,
these nonviolent warriors forced America to reckon with its racism and inhumanity toward “colored
people.” Yet Rev. Jackson’s expansive mission was ultimately for the betterment of all people, regardless of
race, religion, social standing, or country of origin. He was, quite simply, the people’s envoy.

As founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he was undaunted in his mission to make his
country live up to its ‘Rockwellesque’ yet narrow image of American life. In the prime of his career, that
conviction, along with his leadership and commanding oratory skills, gave him sway with U.S. presidents,
heads of state, revolutionaries, and power brokers of all stripes. But it was everyday people that he
touched the most, those longing to hold on to hope when they could not feed their families or pay the
rent. He had known such struggles himself and wanted to help others to overcome them.

To a family that graciously shared its patriarch with the world, Rev.
Jackson was most of all a loving husband, devoted father, and uncle.
He died of complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP),
a rare neurodegenerative disorder he had bravely managed for
more than a decade. He had initially been diagnosed with
Parkinson’s disease.

Rev. Jackson is survived by his college sweetheart and wife, Jacqueline
Lavinia Brown, and their five children, Santita Jackson, Congressman
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., Jonathan Luther Jackson, Yusef DuBois Jackson,
Esq., and Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson. He is also survived by his
daughter Ashley Laverne Jackson. In addition, he is survived by his
beloved grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

“Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses

in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?
Philip saith unto him, Come and see.”
– John 1:45-46