Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 5-31-19

Feature
Owner Of Historic Jackson House Dies
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A well-known Tampa man has died following a lengthy ill- ness. Mr. Willie Jackson, Jr., was 71-years-old.
His daughter, Ms. Desiree “Dee Dee” Robinson, said her father had been battling ill- ness for the last two years. He died at Tampa General Hospital early Sunday.
Mr. Robinson was the only child of the late Willie and Sarah Jackson Robinson, Sr., owners of the Historic Jackson House.
A Tampa native, Mr. Robinson attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. After graduating from Middle- ton High School in 1967, he con- tinued his education at Bishop College, where he earned his B. S. Degree in Education, in 1971.
He returned to Tampa, where he taught school and married the late Mrs. Thelma Bell Robinson. To this union 1 daughter was born. After being encouraged to further his educa- tion, Mr. Robinson enrolled at Prairie View A & M University,
WILLIE ROBINSON, JR. ... Owner of the historic
Jackson House
where he earned his Master’s Degree in Education. He also pledged and became a member of the Theta Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., He lived in Houston, Texas for several years.
Mr. Robinson returned to Tampa in 1984 following the death of his father to provide as- sistance for his mother, his daughter said.
Ms. Robinson said her fa- ther retired from Hillsborough County, but was an integral part of the community.
The Jackson Boarding House, 851 E. Zack Street, opened its doors in 1901 to provide shelter for African Americans during the era of segregation. It remained operational until 2005.
solutely loved his two grand- sons. I loved my dad to death and I really miss him,” she said.
The historic Jackson House opened in 1901 and offered arrangements for popular enter- tainers during the segregation era. It later served as a boarding home. It closed in 2005.
During an interview with the Sentinel three years ago, Mr. Robinson said, “My grandfa- ther (Moses Jackson) built this house for my grandmother, Sarah, and their 4 daughters. It was passed down to each daugh- ter through time.
“My mother, Sarah Jack- son Robinson died on August 30, 2006 in the same room she was born in on November 5, 1916. She took over operation of the house in 1940 and closed it the year before she died.”
In addition to his daughter and two grandsons, Mr. Robinson is survived by 0ther family members and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Robinson will be held on Sat- urday, June 1st, at 2:30 p.m. Wil- son’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
He was a lifelong and active member of Beulah Baptist Insti- tutional Church, was instru- mental in launching the University of South Florida Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Chapter, a member of the Hills- borough County Branch NAACP, the Ada T. Payne Friends of the Library, Inc.,
mentoring at Just Elementary School, and a longstanding member of the Middleton High School Alumni, among other or- ganizations.
“My father loved his family and believed in making a lot out of a little bit. He loved his family history and worked to preserve the Jackson House. He ab-
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019