Hundreds Say Farewell to A “Prince” Among Men


Mourners exit The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist after the Celebration of Life Service for Dr. Prince Jackson, Jr.
Mourners exit The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist after the Celebration of Life Service for Dr. Prince Jackson, Jr.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist was packed Saturday morning with mourners who came to bid farewell to former Savannah State president and long-time local NAACP president Prince Albert Jackson, Jr. Jackson passed September 21, after a long illness.

The service included readings by Jackson’s sons Rodney and Philip, and the eulogy by Rev. Robert Chaney.

Jackson is regarded as a champion of academic excellence and civil rights in the Savannah community, and devoted his life to these causes. A Savannah native, Jackson graduated from Beach-Cuyler High School, and after serving his country during WWII and receiving an honorable discharge, began studies at Georgia State College for Negroes, now Savannah State University.

After receiving his B.S. in mathematics, Jackson went on to earn an M.S. degree from New York University. He completed further studies at the University of Kansas and Harvard University. He went on to join the graduate faculty of Boston College and receive his Ph.D. with distinction in 1966. Jackson became the 7th President of his

Pallbearers carry the flag draped coffin bearing the remains of Dr. Jackson
Pallbearers carry the flag draped coffin bearing the remains of Dr. Jackson
alma mater, Savannah State College in 1971.

His tenure proved fruitful, overseeing the increase of the number of faculty with doctorates and the establishment of the NROTC and WHCJ radio station on the campus. After his tenure as President, he returned to teaching at Savannah State, and retired from the University in 1999. He was a member of 29 professional and scholastic organizations, among them, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., of which he was a life member, Frogs Club, Inc of Savannah and of course the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, of which he was also a life member.

Jackson was a charter member and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, and former Vice President of the Savannah-Chatham Board of Education. Jackson was laid to rest in Catholic Cemetery. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, Children, sons Prince(Jessica) III, Rodney (Marie), Anthony, Philip, and daughter Julia (Eric), six grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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