A Moral Voice Rests: The Legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson (1941–2026)

CHICAGO, IL — The Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., the Baptist minister and civil rights titan whose booming oratory and tireless advocacy bridged the era of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the modern day, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. He was 84.

His family confirmed that he died at his home in Chicago surrounded by loved ones, listening to hymns and joined in prayer. While Rev. Jackson had lived with Parkinson’s disease since 2017 and was later diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), his family noted that his spirit remained dedicated to the "Rainbow Coalition" of the oppressed until his final days.

"A Servant Leader to the Voiceless"

In a poignant statement, the Jackson family remembered him as a man who belonged to the world:

"Our father was a servant leader—not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world. We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family."

A Life of Gospel and Justice

Born in 1944 in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson’s journey was rooted in the Black Church. He was ordained a Baptist minister in 1968, the same year his mentor, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated. Jackson famously stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel during those tragic final moments, a mantle he carried for the next six decades.

As the founder of Operation PUSH (later the Rainbow PUSH Coalition), he transformed the pulpit into a platform for economic justice and voting rights. His historic presidential runs in 1984 and 1988 shattered political glass ceilings, proving that a "Rainbow Coalition" of diverse Americans could demand a seat at the table.

Tributes from the Faith Community

Leaders across the nation have begun to pay their respects to a man whose voice "echoed in boardrooms and in jail cells."

• Rev. Al Sharpton: "Our nation lost one of its greatest moral voices... a man who carried history in his footsteps and hope in his voice."

• Sen. Raphael Warnock: "With an eloquence and rhythmic rhetoric all his own, Jesse Jackson reminded America that equal justice is not inevitable; it requires vigilance."

Memorial Information

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition has announced that a series of public tributes will take place in the coming weeks. A public celebration of life is scheduled for March 6 at the House of Hope in Chicago, following observances in his home state of South Carolina and Washington, D.C.

Rev. Jackson is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Jacqueline, and their children, who ask that the nation honor his memory by "continuing the fight for the values he lived by."

COFFEYVILLE, KS — The global Christian community is mourning the loss of Dr. Ron Kenoly, a trailblazing worship leader and musician who redefined the contemporary worship landscape. Kenoly passed away on February 3, 2026, at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife, Diana, and his three sons.

A Global Legacy in Praise

Kenoly’s influence stretched far beyond the borders of his native Kansas. Over a career spanning several decades, he toured 123 countries, becoming a household name in the United States, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and Ghana.

He is widely credited with ushering in a new era of worship music by blending diverse genres and regional styles. His impact was not only musical but also structural; Kenoly was a pioneer in the production and marketing of the genre, famously becoming one of the first worship artists to be featured on his own album covers—a move that helped humanize and personalize the worship experience for millions.

Faith Over Talent

Despite his immense technical skill and global fame, Kenoly remained focused on the spiritual core of his work. He often emphasized that musical excellence was secondary to a worshiper’s intent.

"Worship in spirit and truth requires more than fancy vocal aerobics, beautiful poetic lyrics and sweet or hot musical passages... God is always looking at the true heart of the worshiper."

From Kansas to the World Stage

Born in 1944 in Coffeyville, Kansas, Kenoly’s foundations were built on the resilience of his mother and his upbringing in the Baptist church alongside his five brothers. This early exposure to the church set the stage for a career that would eventually bridge the gap between traditional hymns and modern, high-energy praise and worship.

His death marks the end of an era for a generation of believers who were introduced to the "praise and worship" movement through his iconic recordings and energetic live performances.

SANDY SPRING, MD — The music world is mourning the loss of Richard Smallwood, the visionary pianist, composer, and singer whose sophisticated blend of classical music and gospel redefined the genre. Smallwood passed away on December 30, 2025, at a nursing facility in Sandy Spring, Maryland, due to kidney failure. He was 77 years old.

The Architect of "Total Praise"

Smallwood’s contributions to the Great American Songbook are immeasurable. He was the pen behind the modern-day masterpiece "Total Praise," a staple in choir lofts and concert halls worldwide. His ability to weave intricate harmonies with profound spiritual depth made his music a bridge between traditional gospel and contemporary worship.

His catalog includes some of the most beloved songs in the industry:

• "The Center of My Joy"

• "What He's Done for Me"

• "I Love the Lord" — famously performed by Whitney Houston in the 1996 film The Preacher's Wife.

A Legacy of Inspiration

Smallwood is being remembered not just for his technical brilliance as a pianist, but for the healing nature of his ministry. His music served as a source of strength for millions, offering a sense of peace and upliftment during life's most challenging moments.

From his early days with The Richard Smallwood Singers to his later work with Vision, his influence on gospel music remained constant, earned through decades of excellence and an unwavering commitment to his craft.