Mr. Richard Jackson

Richard Jackson was born November 24, 1955, to the late Richard Williams, Sr and the late Anna Lee Jackson - Womble what a Thanksgiving Day surprise he was that year. He entered into eternal rest on June 14, 2023, at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, after a long illness. He was educated in the Albany Public Schools.

Richard had that type of personality and charm that drew the young and old alike to him at a very young age. Growing up in the streets of Albany wasn’t easy and he ran into some stumbling blocks along his journey , but that did not stop him from wanting to learn, he was very diverse, inquisitive, and interested in learning everything he could from world events, religion, sports, politics and was an avid chess player and avid reader, challenging anyone he could with that boyish charm he could hold a conversation like no other. He also loved his mafia movies, God Father and Scarface was some of his favorites.

Richard was introduced to music at an early age with his grandfather Leroy Holmes and Uncle Bernard(Bee)Holmes being blues players at the chippy joints and other venues well known in the community and surrounding areas. One of Richards Favorite Blues singers was B.B. King, among others .Richard loved his family, with all his heart, his mother, grandmother, grandfather and sister was his foundation growing up.

Along this journey he was introduced to the Nation of Islam and became a part of the brotherhood and adapted to their teachings for some years being called Bishmi. He later departed ways, but continued to study and learn all religions. Needing a change in scenery, Richard moved to Rochester and then eventually lived in Buffalo, NY for many years. Some years down the road we would have a new edition to the family , when his Niece Shanice was born, you really couldn’t tell him anything, he was going to be an Uncle, now she was known as baby cobra, since little sis liz was Cobramac he was so proud to see her grow up and become the woman she is today.

Still feeling like something was still missing, he made a decision to reconnect with his father Richard, he relocated to Atlanta where his father was. What a joyful reunion that was. That is where his father introduced him to Agnes who would soon become Mrs. Jackson. She had 3 beautiful daughters who adored Richard and he was not know as a stepdad, but to them he was the dad that stepped up. During his stay in Atlanta, he worked as Laborer and made many accomplishments, this is the change that he needed. But due to unforeseen circumstances after some time Rich had to relocate back to Albany with his family. But little did he know, he would become a Great Uncle, his A’miyah, the baby was born 2017 and she was not going to live that name down, no matter how old she got. During the next chapter of his life back in Albany, Rich would frequent our church at that time ,God In Action Ministries, where he was welcomed by the sisters and brothers in Christ, often attending bible study and church services. Richard was a believer and new who Jesus and God was. In 2017 Richard obtained a position with Catholic Charities as Peer Navigator for Project safe Point , he was also an active member with Voices of Community Activists & Leaders New York (Vocal-NY) and has received many certificates and acknowledgements, even getting a acknowledgements from, Paul D. Tonko, 20th District of Congress for his participation in a roundtable discussion, that he was able to share his personal story and powerful inspiration. Richard met a lot of new acquaintances who would become lifetime friends.

The last addition to the family was in 2015, Richard's little sister got married to the late Duncan E. Bailey, soon he would have not just a brother-in-law but a brother in the house that he could often talk with about anything and everything with him. You can hear them going for hours sometimes debating, sharing,  comparing about sports, food, family, religion ,music even cars and more.. Listening to them was very interesting and sometimes very intense, because iron sharpens iron and they both had some knowledge in them big heads.

Richard leaves to cherish his memories, his wife Agnes P. Jackson (Atlanta, Ga), three daughters, Katisha, Kashena and Kawanza Phillips (Atlanta, Ga);4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Richard also leaves to cherish his memories his sister Elizabeth Bailey, his niece, Shanice R. Taylor and great niece, A’miyah J.L. Holton all of Albany, NY; a host of cousins and special friends, Paulette Cooper, Christopher Evans, William Singletary and Chicago and many others.

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