Celebration of Lifefor

Richard Alexander McKissickSunrise: June 23, 1925 Sunset: January 1, 2016

Saturday, January 9, 2016 ~ 11:00 A.M.

Bethel Baptist Institutional Church215 Bethel Baptist StreetJacksonville, Fl. 32202

Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr. PastorBishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr. Pastor Emeritus

PROGRAM OBITUARY

‘The mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and calls the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.’ - Psalm 50:1

Richard Alexander McKissick answered God’s call January 1, 2016, bringing a radiant life of service to sunset. The third son born June 25, 1925 to Lawrence and Anna McKissick, Richard was a Jacksonville native who was enriched by the training he received from his family, church, and military community. Upon graduating from Stanton High School in 1943, Richard enrolled at Morehouse College, where he matriculated with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While a Morehouse Man, Richard was active with the business and law club and received special training for membership in the NAACP Youth Council. In addition, he earned numerous state certifications and recognition from Florida Technological University, Orlando, Fla., where he earned the Most Outstanding Student award. These early experiences fueled his passion for equity, social justice, and service, leading him to enlist in the United States Army, where he served for many years. Following a distinguished military career, Richard returned to Jacksonville to work at Continental Enterprises, Inc., where he led and oversaw the operations of the Roosevelt, Strand, and Frolic Theatres. As manager, Richard assisted in the recruitment and training of theatre staff – a job duty that ultimately became his life’s work. With a mission to improving lives, Richard dedicated more than 50 years to programs and organizations that contributed to the education, rehabilitation, and restoration of persons impacted by incarceration, substance abuse, and unemployment. A lover of jazz music and people, he served as a counselor, job developer, program manager, court liaison, and applicant technician to a number of transitional support organizations including Northeast Florida Community Action Agency, Youth Build, and the City of Jacksonville, where he founded the DAWN (Developing Adults With Necessary Skills) Program and managed at the time of his death. While commonly known for his unique voice, a result of a laryngectomee performed in the 1990s, Richard’s life and influence were as equally special as evidenced by the numerous lives he influenced and awards that he earned including a Governor (Askew) appointment to the State Drug Advisory Council; the Congressional Lewis Hine National Award by the National Child Labor Committee; Outstanding Citizen Commendation , Jacksonville City Council Robert O. Johnson Good Government Trophy, and numerous City of Jacksonville Community Service awards. Richard was a lifelong member of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, where his brother served as Pastor for more than forty-five years and his nephew currently serves as Pastor, and served as a Trustee at one time and sang in the Chancel and Sanctuary Choirs. Richard is survived by his siblings Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Sr. (Estelle), and Modestine Golden; sister-in-law Hattie McKissick; nieces Paula Robinson, and Kim Law (Clint); nephews Michael Matthews, and Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr. (Kimberly); beloved grand nieces and nephew Tiffani Dailey (Torin) and Ersula White (Michael), Jocelyn McKissick, Janai McKissick and Joshua McKissick as well as other great nieces, nephews, and a host of cousins and extended family, including the Perry’s and the Putman’s.

E The Many Faces of Richard e

ORDER OF WORSHIP

Pastor Torin T. Dailey, PresidingFirst Baptist Church of Oakland

Processional “What A Mighty God We Serve”

Hymn of Faith “All Hail The Power”

Video Reflections

Old Testament Bishop Leofric W. Thomas, Sr.Psalm 46 Open Arms Christian Fellowship

The Gospel Dr. Randolph BracyJohn 5:24-29 Founder, New Covenant Baptist Church Of Orlando

The Epistle Pastor Frederick Newbill 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 First Timothy Baptist Church

Ministry of Music “Let Mt. Zion Rejoice”

Prayer Rev. Robert N. Burkins

Ministry of Music “Even Me”

Words of Comfort Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr.

Recessional “I Shall Wear A Crown”

E Richard and his Family e

E Richard at Work and his Quotes e

“I’ve fought for the people I thought were salvageable, but I have not done enough. That’s why I’m determined to do more.”

“Character counts.” “This generation of blacks do not know where they came from. They are confused about

who they are. They are confused about America.”

“When participants are moved to a more responsible level of behavior, it not only improves their lives, it also makes neighborhoods safer and saves the taxpayers thousands of dollars that would

have to be spent on incarcerating them repeatedly.”

Our Tribute To Our Beloved Richard

Stand tall oh mighty oak, for all the world to see,your strength and undying beauty forever amazes me.

Though storm clouds hover above you,Your branches span the sky,

In search of the radiant sunlight youcount on to survive.

When the winds are high and restless andyou lose a limb or two,

it only makes you stronger, wecould learn so much from you.

Though generations have come and goneAnd brought about such change,

quietly you’ve watched them all yet still remained the same,

I only pray God give to me the strength he’sGiven you,

to face each day with hope, whetherskies are black or blue,

Life on earth is truly a giftevery moment we must treasure,

it’s the simple things we take for grantedthat become our ultimate pleasures.

- Kathy J. Parenteau

PallbearersWillie Lee Perry George Perry

Bruce Perry Wil’Sean Perry Joshua McKissick Herbert W. Putman, Jr.

Floral AttendantsThe Bethel Church Deacons Ministry

AcknowledgementIt has been said that a friend who understands your tears is much better than many friends who only know your smile. We thank each of you for knowing our smile and understanding our tears as we have stood between grief and glory. Your acts of kindness, prayers, emails, cards and calls have been greatly encouraging during this past week as we have dealt with the transition of our beloved brother, uncle and family member. May the God of all grace

bless each of you.

rLife is Forever! Death is a Dream!

If we did not go to sleep at nightWe’d never awaken to see the light,

And the joy of watching a new day breakOr meeting the dawn by some quiet lake

Would never be ours unless we slept With God and all His angels keptA vigil through this “little death”

That’s over with the morning’s breath-And death, too, is a time of sleeping,

For those who die are in God’s keepingAnd there’s a “sunrise” for each soul,

For life, not death is God’s promised goal- So trust God’s promise and doubt Him never For only through death can man live forever!

-Helen Steiner Rice

rInterment

Evergreen Cemetery

Arrangements Entrusted To:J. E. Fralin and Sons Funeral Services

5065 Soutel DriveJacksonville, FL 32208

(904) 924-9400