In retirement, Bessie Jackson’s ‘job’ is to serve

This story was written by Sachi Marcum, a junior at Marble Falls High School. She volunteered as a reporter for a day at DailyTrib.com and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune as part of the Rotary Club of Marble Falls 2023 career day program. 

At 80 years old, Bessie Jackson could embrace a life of retirement. Instead, she devotes her time to serving her community in a variety of ways, one of the most important as an organizer for Mission Outreach, a hot food ministry at St. Fredrick’s Baptist Church in Marble Falls. 

“St. Frederick’s Mission Outreach Ministry serves the hungry, the emotionally wounded, and the spiritually impoverished in our community,” reads the 44-year-old program’s mission statement.

Jackson and her husband, Henry, who is head cook, have been with the program from the beginning, but after she retired from the Community Resource Center, she has been able to devote more time. 

“My niche in life is to serve and do whatever,” Jackson said.

Jackson takes little credit, spreading praise to the many volunteers who help keep the program vibrant. 

“All these churches around here help out,” she said. “We have so many volunteers. I just let them do it the way they want. Some of them have it down.” 

The church serves about 40 plates of hot food each day on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the church, 301 Avenue N South in Marble Falls. Everyone is invited.

“The only requirement is that you be hungry,” Jackson said. 

On Saturdays, volunteers deliver about 250 plates of hot food to shut-ins and other people in need in Granite Shoals and Marble Falls.

“My biggest and the only rule is: Don’t bring back a plate full of food. Give it away to the next person,” she said. “You can leave two plates if you want. Just give that food away.” 

Feeding the hungry is not the only community outreach offered by St. Frederick’s. A porch that leads to the fellowship hall is often covered with an ever-changing array of donated clothes, toys, household goods, and furniture. Anyone is welcome to come anytime and take what they need.

“Nothing stays on that porch for long,” Jackson said. “We even had a big-screen TV once.” 

Personally, she offers free notary services and is also chairing the church’s project to build a Black History Museum on the church grounds. 

“I’m a child of the king,” said Jackson, paraphrasing Isaiah 43:7. “I’m His feet, I’m His legs, I’m here to take care of his people. That’s my purpose.”

editor@thepicayune.com