Rev. Dr. Daniel W. Jacobs Sr

Daniel Wesley Jacobs, Sr., was born in Polk County, Georgia, to the parentage of Reverend Daniel Lott Jacobs and Mrs. Fannie Lou Cosby Jacobs, and reared in Cedartown, Georgia. Dr. Jacobs earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree (cum laude) in Philosophy and Religion/Sociology at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, and earned a Master of Divinity Degree at the Turner Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center. He pursued doctoral studies at the Columbia Theological Seminary and Emory University. Dr. Jacobs was a lifelong servant of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. His ministerial career began in the Atlanta-North Georgia Annual Conference of the 6th Episcopal District, where he would eventually occupy various offices, including Secretary of the Annual Conference, Treasurer of the Annual Conference, and Dean of the Board of Examiners. He also served as the 6th Episcopal District Chair of the Board of Christian Education. At the Connectional AME Church level, he served as a delegate to the General Conference multiple times since 1976, as Secretary of the Connectional Council, and on the General Board of the AME Church. In 1986, Dr. Jacobs was elected to serve as the 6th Administrative Dean of Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center under the Chairmanship of Bishop Frederick Hilborn Talbot. During his tenure, he almost tripled the institution’s enrollment from 40 students to 105 in a given year. Over 300 persons received Master and Doctorate degrees from Turner Theological Seminary during his tenure. He initiated multiple capital improvements, including the erection of F.H. Talbot Hall, installing a computer lab, and increasing the institution’s budget from $300,000 to $1.2 million. In 2004, Dr. Jacobs would assume the title “President-Dean” and retire from his academic career in 2008. Dr. Jacobs was active ecumenically and served in various capacities, including the Board of Directors of the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, a member of the World Methodist Council and as a Delegate to the Consultation on Church Union. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from Payne Theological Seminary, Richard R. Wright Seminary, and Turner Theological Seminary. He was a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. member and a member of the NAACP. Dr. Jacobs departed this life on Friday, December 20, 2024. He was predeceased by his wife Mary. He leaves his memory to be treasured by his four children, Daniel (Donna) Jacobs, Jr., Reginald (Brenda) Jacobs, Sr., Kimberly (Dominic) Henry, and Dana Michelle Jacobs; grandchildren, Daniel Jacobs, III, DeMarcus Jacobs, Micheal Jacobs, Sr., Reginald Jacobs, Jr., Crystal Jacobs, Dominic (Alyssa) Henry, II, and Alexandra Henry; great-grandchildren, Micaiah Jacobs, Micheal Jacobs, Jr., Mac Taft, and Adrian Henry; sisters, Betty Copeland and Pamela (Alfonso) Findley; sister-in-law, Vickie (Jerry) Tilman; god-daughter, LaTanya Moore Copeland, along with a host of family, devoted friends, students, and colleagues. The family extends special and heartfelt thanks to Rachel Norman, who was a dedicated, caring, and loving caregiver to both Mary and Daniel for over eight years.

Tributes

Rev. Dr. Daniel W. Jacobs Sr

August 26, 1933 - December 20, 2024