The life of District Missionary Lillie Benbow Jackson will be celebrated on Friday, August 27, and Saturday, August 26, at 88th St. Temple Church of God in Christ, 8825 S. Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles. Superintendent Anthony L. Williams, who is the son of Jackson Benbow, is also the host pastor.
Her body will lie in state on Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Her homegoing celebration will begin at 11 a.m. All services will take place at 88th St. Temple.
Missionary Jackson was well-known in South Los Angeles for her volunteer work to aid those less fortunate throughout the area. She directed the 88th St. Temple’s food program for many years, which distributes fresh vegetables and groceries every Friday. People line up for blocks to receive the free food.
“We’ve always done community work,” recalled Jackson in a 2017 Sentinel interview. “My mother and father were giving out bags of groceries in the 1960s before it really became popular. He took money out of his pocket and asked the saints to contribute. Those he helped through the food program later became members of the church and many are still here.”
An accomplished organist, she played for 88th Temple and for the Southern California First Jurisdiction Youth Choir. She also co-chaired the jurisdiction’s Youth Sunshine Band, served as head chaplain of the Women’s Department Light District and was a missionary for the South West Light District.
The daughter of the late Bishop Bennie Robert Benbow, Missionary Jackson credited “generational blessings” for her spirit of giving back. During the Sentinel interview, she said, “I’ll never retire because I’m purpose-driven and if God sends you, you can make it. If people send you, they’ll send you back. The Bible says many are called but few are chosen. I believe I’m chosen for this work.”
