It is with great sadness that the family of long time Sac State staffer and Sac State Black Alumni
Chapter founder, Jackie Morris-Henderson announces that she passed away last Monday, August 26. In lieu of gifts or flowers the family is requesting donations to the Jackie Morris-Henderson Scholarship (details conclude the Obituary).

Five days after Thanksgiving on November 27, 1962, Sylvia Jacqueline Morris was born in Philadelphia, PA to high school sweethearts, Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer, Emanuel "Jack" Morris, Jr. and Sylvia Lynch-Morris, also native Philadelphians. Nicknamed "Jackie", she was the third of their four children, and due to her father's military assignments, Jackie grew up living in Alaska, North Carolina, Canada, and finally Northern California at Travis AFB.

Jackie was actually a shy child, but always had that signature beaming smile and infectious laugh. Eventually, Jackie's shyness evolved to having an outgoing spirit and sense of humor, including her renowned quick wit. Her family moved to Vacaville when her father retired from Travis, and Jackie attended Elmira Elementary, where she played clarinet. She went onto Will C. Wood Jr. High, becoming a flag girl for the marching band, and involved in student government. She carried her love of extracurricular activities to Vallejo's St. Vincent High School, when it still only had female students. Then in Fall 1981, Jackie entered California State University at Sacramento as a freshman…and there began her Sac State journey of over three decades as a student, student employee, graduate, staff member to founder of the CSUS Black Alumni Chapter…

As during her secondary education, at Sac State Jackie continued her extracurricular pursuits with various campus clubs and organizations, while making life-long friends. However, it was her start as a Business Administration major and student employee in CSUS Financial Services that led her to see that beyond attending Sac State, working there as a career was something to consider. In fact, after graduating in 1987 with her B.S. in Business Administration, she began a professional trajectory that not only included another CSUS degree a few years later in Communication Studies, but receiving a Masters of Science in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco in 1999.

During her career at Sac State, Jackie worked in various campus departments, such as Admissions & Records, then Outreach & Retention, where she served as an ambassador for Sac State on recruitment trips to encourage deserving students to consider attending the campus. However, she also worked to keep them there once they enrolled, especially underrepresented students. To that end, her desire continued to dovetail for her professionally, when she moved over to University Advancement in the University Development division. Not long after, she became the sole Scholarship Fund Steward to oversee the stewardship of scholarship funds established on campus. This was her final staff position until her passing, but one that embraced her mission to help those who not only wanted a college education, but to excel... And she knew that for many having the financial means through scholarships and other aid, was a way to guarantee that opportunity.

Under University Advancement, she went into hyperdrive, as Sac State President Robert S. Nelsen stated about Jackie to the Sac State community, "One of Jackie's greatest achievements was the establishment of the Black Alumni Chapter (BAC) at Sacramento State. When she learned that there was significant disengagement among Black alumni, she founded the chapter to bring a greater sense of belonging and connectedness to the community. She served as staff liaison for six years, then as chapter president for four years. She planned social events including the Sports Banquet bringing together former student athletes, established the Soul Food Supper held in February, and developed the Student Welcome held in September. Jackie's support and leadership guided the BAC to become one of the most vibrant and active alumni chapters at Sacramento State. Our students will benefit for generations to come from Jackie's work to create a positive and active alumni organization." Jackie also organized unique alumni outreach, such as a great homage to one of Sac State's most famous alums, Black Panther writer-director, Ryan Coogler, by submitting to him a Wakanda salute photo featuring members of Sac State Black Faculty and Staff, as well as students. In addition, she worked across campus boundaries with Black alumni counterparts at UC Davis, Cal Poly and UOP, among others, as well as cultivated joint programs with them, including a trip to Jamaica, concerts (such as Kirk Franklin), and other endeavors.

However, Jackie showed her biggest love to an alumnus in 2003, when she married Donald Henderson, whom she met through a mutual friend. Donald—a Sac State Hornet with a Masters in Social Work—over the years became Jackie's co-pilot on many Sac State activities, including as a founding BAC member. Jackie also made BAC a family affair with her mom, Sylvia, not only attending BAC events, but often making the centerpieces for them; her late brother, Ricky, volunteering his time to help; and often coming to Sacramento to cheer Jackie on were her father, Jack, brother, Dale and sister, Joanne (respectively residing in Folsom, Philadelphia and Los Angeles).

In addition, Jackie and Donald contributed to other campus initiatives. This year, they were recognized as Green Level donors at Sac State's premier black-tie fundraiser, 2019 Green & Gold Gala. They also donated to Sac State's School of Nursing, where their names are on a permanent donor plaque. And that recognition is one of many for Jackie, such as: The MLK Scholars Making History Award, The BAC Distinguished Service Award, an Alpha Phi Alpha/Pi Gamma Chapter Black Women of Achievement Award, and The Sac State Alumni Association's coveted Chapter Leader of The Year Award.

Besides BAC, among her campus activities Jackie was on the Graduate Diversity Scholarship Committee, the Honors Program Scholarship Committee, the Martin Luther King Jr. Center Task Force, the Campus Educational Equity Committee, the Cooper Woodson College Campus Graduation/Celebration Committee, and headed various committees for the Black Faculty & Staff Group. In fact, as President Nelsen noted, "Jackie was a highly active and enthusiastic member of the Hornet Family representing the University at everything from fundraisers to tailgates to Commencement." This enthusiasm also endeared Jackie to students, faculty, staff, volunteers, alumni and donors from all sectors. To this day, there are current students, recent graduates and alumni who said they would have not made it through Sac State without the support of "Miss Jackie", let alone impacting their own careers with her advice, referrals, contacts and mentorship.

Jackie was also involved in the Sacramento community at large to help uplift others, as well as engaged in state and national level activities. She brought her leadership skills to various groups and committees, including: the California Exposition & State Fair (State Fair) Cultural Advisory Council; the California State Fair Scholarship Committee; the Project Rebound Program Committee; the HAWK Institute; the NAACP; and the National Association of Professional Women. Because of her activities, she was also on a first name basis with quite a few local and state lawmakers, as well as VIPs and community advocates, such as: California State Assemblymember Jim Cooper; Sacramento City Council members Larry Carr and Rick Jennings II; revered educator, Dr. Hazel Mahone; Sacramento Police Chief, Daniel Hahn; Good Day Sacramento's Courtney Dempsey to name a few, and of course, Sac State leadership, including President Nelsen. Jackie is also receiving a California State Assembly Adjourn in Memory, as well as resolutions from Assemblymember Cooper and the Sacramento City Council, through Councilmember Carr with the support of Councilmember Jennings.

However, rest assure that between her Sac State and community involvement, Jackie still found time to enjoy life. She loved music—with the Whispers and Frankie Beverly & Maze being two of her favorite groups—and going to concerts, including the State Fair's annual gospel concert. Jackie loved to laugh and attend live comedy shows, even famously making Tony Rock crack up as he interacted with the audience… Donald and Jackie loved to travel, especially to the Caribbean. Also, the avowed dog lovers proudly own a championship Schnauzer named Bleu from the acclaimed Kennel Wunderkind, with membership in the prestigious Standard Schnauzer Club of Northern California. That all said, as a testament of her importance to Sac State and prominence in the Sacramento community, it had already been announced months ago that Jackie would be honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award for Service on September 12, 2019, one of few African American women to receive that award in its 47 year history.

Unfortunately, on August 26 only a few weeks from receiving this well-deserved award (and some might say overdue award), surrounded by loved ones, after battling cancer Jackie was called home to claim her place in heaven by other late family members, including her brother, Ricky… In fact, as an illustration of how much Jackie was esteemed by the Sac State family, they not only had a moment of silence in her honor at the Hornets August 31 home game against Southern Oregon, but Sac State held a celebration of her life on Thursday, September 5 at the Harper Alumni Center that was full of students, faculty, staff and alumni sharing their favorite Jackie stories, including, President Nelsen.
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Jackie is survived by her husband, Donald Henderson; her parents, Jack and Sylvia Morris; her siblings: Joanne Morris & Dale Morris; sister-in-law, Crystal Butler-Morris; nephews Julian & Spencer Morris; step-daughter, Sheree Henderson; step-grandsons, Tyler Henderson & Tarren Gilmore; and step-great grandson, Lucas Gilmore, as well as in-laws and members of her extended Henderson family. Of her fifteen paternal and maternal aunts & uncles, Jackie is only survived by her paternal aunt, Mildred Morris-Banks, in addition to many paternal and maternal cousins. She also leaves a legion of great friends, colleagues and mentees.

Donald and Jackie's family are honored to announce that the Sac State Black Alumni Chapter has established the Jackie Morris-Henderson Scholarship. Therefore, In lieu of any gifts or flowers the Family requests that you make a tax-deductible donation in Jackie's memory to the Jackie Morris-Henderson Scholarship. Please make a check payable to the University Foundation at Sacramento State with the following memo line notation: "BAC Jackie Morris-Henderson Scholarship", and send to:

Sacramento State Development
Attn: JMH Scholarship
6000 J Street, Mail Stop 6030
Sacramento, CA 95819

To donate online either a one-time gift or a recurring gift please go to sacstatealumni.com/giving, then under the "Designation" section choose Scholarships and Student Programs, and under the "Account" section scroll to Jackie Morris-Henderson Scholarship. For any questions or further information, please contact CSU Sacramento Black Alumni Chapter President, Sandra Poole at bacpresident.sacstate@gmail.com.

Jackie's services will be held this Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 11 am in St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church at 3996 14th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95820. Arrangements are being handled by
Ramsey Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Inc.

Finally, Donald and Jackie's family ask that you honor her legacy by being kind, thoughtful and supportive to everyone, as well as stay engaged in your community, school and alma mater…but still find moments to have fun and embrace life. In the meantime, we all know she is organizing heavenly events as we speak…