Katrina's Lives Lost:	The Rev. Royal Jackson, 1925-2005 
Submitted By: 		N.O.V.A November 2005
Source:			Times Picayune 10-28-2005

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On Aug. 21, the last time the Rev. Royal Jackson preached a sermon at the
Second Highway Baptist Church in Marrero, he spoke about the importance of
constant prayerfulness and urged the congregation always to show love for
one another.

Those were themes that Jackson, the church's pastor for nearly 33 years,
embraced throughout his life, family and friends said.

"He was a man who was always close to God," said his daughter, Marian
Hubert. "He was a man of great humility, who was concerned always for the
welfare of others, no matter who they were."

Jackson also was known for his straightforwardness. "If you asked him
something, you had to be prepared to hear the truth," said his
granddaughter, Shawanne Scott.

Fading health and a stroke he suffered in 1999 limited his mobility, so
Jackson depended on family and church members for help getting around.
Associate pastors handled some duties at the church, but Jackson still held
the title of head pastor and was very much the church's leader.

"He was still preaching and still baptizing people," said Alex Noel, a
deacon at the church who'd worked with Jackson for more than 30 years. "He
was a man who could stand and speak the word of God directly to the
congregation."

Jackson and his wife, Elizabeth, raised seven children in strict but loving
fashion, with family revolving around church. "He was a pastor for as long
as I can remember," daughter Kathy Scott said. "He became very well known,
and he was on the radio at one time."

Jackson was born in Marrero, had 19 grandchildren and 29 great-
grandchildren and had been married to Elizabeth for 62 years. He believed
in "divine order," even at home.

"When we were coming up, we had to get up early, even if we didn't have to
go to school," Hubert said. "We had to get up, make the beds or read our
Bibles. He gave us this idea that though we are in the world, we don't have
to be of the world."

He also taught the children how to share and take care of others. Years
back, when he came home from trawling on his boat, he'd send out the
children to share the bounty of shrimp, fish and crabs with elderly
neighbors.

Family members last spoke to the couple on the day of the storm. Jackson
had decided to remain at their home on Fernley Street near Bullard Avenue.
The house took on 9 feet of water, but it is still uncertain if Jackson
drowned. Although his remains have been identified, the family has been
unable to get details about the circumstances of his death. They're not
even sure where his body was found.

"He always liked to use Proverbs 3," Scott said. " 'Trust in the Lord with
all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.' "

Elizabeth remains missing.