Marjorie Jacob receiving the Robe of Achievement, 2012
Marjorie Jacob was a committed Christian and willing to be of service wherever she was needed. She was born in Battle Creek, MI on October 7, 1934. She met her husband James Glen Jacob while attending Athens Agricultural High School. She was a member of the Glee Club and taught tap dancing after school. She married Jim in 1951, and was an army wife for 3 years before they settled in Pomona Park, FL. As a child she attended the Battle Creek Seventh Day Baptist Church. She was baptized and joined the Daytona Beach SDB Church.
Margie and her husband had five children. In the words of one of the pastors wives, “Margie’s children came to Christ through her leading and mothering, becoming active in church life.
Matthew (her son shared the following): “As the fifth of five children, I had the fortune of having my parents’ undivided attention during my later teen years. We joked with each other, we cried together, and, or course, we argued at times. Through it all, I never doubted the love of my mother. Mom thought it was important to take the family to Conference. I remember many long driving trips to New York, Michigan, Virginia, and Arkansas. It was so important to her that she even let my brother drive some of the way. Gail Price at the Palatka SDB church told a story about childhood drug problems in her generation: how they were drug to church, to family reunions, and to community events. Well my mom was the source of my ‘drug’ problems. I didn’t understand everything then but now I understand that she was teaching us the love for our Savior, our brothers and sisters, and our neighbors.”
Margie’s Christ-like walk was a guiding force not only in the lives of her family and friends but also in the life of her community. local church, and denomination. Very active in the Grange, she encouraged young people with their involvement in special projects, she not only worked for various professionals in town (eye doctor, accountant, and attorneys) but was a substitute teacher and worked as the Pomona Park town clerk for 28 years.
At church she served on the diaconate and audited the church financial records with her husband for many years. She was a valued member of the church’s Pastoral Committee and also served on the denominational Christian Social Action Committee.
Margie was accepted the all encompassing task of President of the SDB Women’s Board for a decade. She took this role seriously and her contagious sense of humor and confidence in her co-workers inspired them to do their best. As Women’s Board President she represented SDB’s on the executive committee of the North American Baptist Women’s Union. In this capacity, she and her husband traveled beyond the borders of our own nation- to Jamaica, England, and Canada- to be involved in work that would impact lives around the world. In the process, lasting friendships were formed with other Christian women, the influence of which was readily apparent.
The gifts the Holy Spirit gave Margie multiplied as she encouraged others to use their gifts as well. To once again quote her youngest son, “If you know her well, you know how loving she is and how she goes out of her way to help others. I really appreciate the time she gives to those (myself included) who need a friend. Years of professional therapy; $45/hour; Time with my mom: absolutely priceless.”