Obituary of Barry A Jackson

Barry Arnold Jackson, affectionately known as “B” or “BJ” was born on February 3, 1955 to the late Elaine Mont and Leroy Jackson in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.  Barry attended the Philadelphia School System and graduated from Germantown High School in 1972. After graduating Barry enlisted into the United States Marine Corps where he served from 1970 to 1973, advancing to First Lieutenant. Barry completed two tours in Vietnam, and later received the Purple heart as a decorated war hero.  After leaving the military Barry enrolled at Temple University, graduating with his Bachelors of Arts in Business Management. 

Barry held various jobs throughout his life but was currently employed at Ancora State Hospital as a Human Services Technician, where he served faithfully for the past 26 years since 1991.

In 1990, Barry was ordained as a minister at B. M. Oakley Memorial Church of God in Christ. Throughout Elder’s pursuit of Christ, he served under Pastor Bruce C. Lester, Voice of Hope Deliverance Center, and Fresh Word Kingdom Assemblies under the tutelage of Apostle Wynell Freeman.  Afterwards Barry found and united with Household of Faith Deliverance Worship Center under the Apostolic leadership of Bishop Michael O. Brokenborough.

On January 30, 1999, Barry and Pauletta was united in holy matrimony and shared eighteen and a half years together.  Barry and Pauletta worked together in various ministry areas such as watch care, and teaching Sunday School. You could find them at any given time enjoying decorating their home, traveling to various states and places or just simply shopping.  Many times, they just acted like kids enjoying amusement parks and having fun riding bikes in the park. Other times, you would find them visiting art and cultural enrichment museums, and enjoying many other recreational activities.

Barry was a superb athlete who loved and excelled in all sports.  One core strength Barry possessed, was that he was ambidextrous with the ability to move either way, making it difficult for his opponents to play against him, they never knew which way he was coming.    

His love of sports was one of the things that connected him to his Pastor, friend, and mentor Pastor, Bishop Michael O. Brokenborough.  Barry loved Pastor Brokenborough and they had a very special friendship, as well as a common love for tennis. Barry was an avid tennis player, who had played professionally for three years and was quite competitive on the court. You could ask his tennis partner, Bishop Michael O. Brokenborough, who was also competitive “peas in a pod”.  When Barry would come home after a match, his wife would ask “how was the game hon”? He excitedly replied by saying “I whipped his butt” while at other times, hanging his head saying “not so good today – I made a lot of dumb moves.”

Barry had three favorite hobbies: music, riding his motorcycle and caring for his motorcycle.  Elder loved all kinds of music including jazz and gospel, but he especially loved oldies but goodies. He could name the year, the artist, and knew every word.  Elder especially enjoyed riding his Harley motorcycle and caring for his Harley. He would polish his motorcycle almost daily, adding features, changing features, creating his own designs and of course, making sure he had motorcycle attire to match the designs perfectly.  All had to be coordinated!  He should have had owned shares in Amazon because every time you turned around a package was at the door. 

Barry was predeceased by his parents, Elaine Mont and Leroy Jackson.  He had a great sense of humor, and many times made others laugh, he will be greatly missed. 

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Pauletta Jackson, Glassboro, NJ. His children: Tyrone C. West, Philadelphia, PA, Monte Guess, Boothwyn, PA, and Mondel Govan, Philadelphia, PA. Larrisa Guess Sappington(Brian), New Castle, Delaware, Tameka Robinson, Elkins Park, PA, Tahira Santana (Jeremias), Cherry Hill, NJ, Sacoya Turner, Williamstown, NJ.  Grandchildren: Monte Myles Guess, Marcus Leander Guess, Ivy Govan, Harmony Govan, Brielle Jurnee Sappington, Arianna Grace, Brian Grace, Asia Hunter, Cameron West, Seraiah Yelverton Robinson, David Yelverton Robinson, Jeremias Santana, Ian Santana, Brooklyn Santana, Jayda Dwyer, Emmanuel Dwyer, Mya Turner. Siblings: Michael Watkins, Frisco, TX, Steven Watkins, Philadelphia, PA and Shelly Roane, Sicklerville, NJ. Three brother-in laws: James, Brad, and Craig Hawkins of Camden, NJ.  His uncle, Arnold Mont and a very close and endearing aunt and uncle, Sandra and Hector Torres, along with his cousin Sylana, and a host of relatives and friends.