Linwood Jacobs

JACOBS, Linwood, The heavens opened on December 27, 2023 to receive Dr. Linwood Jacobs, affectionately known as “Jake” by close friends and family. Dr. Linwood Jacobs was born on June 16, 1933 in Richmond, Virginia to the late Josephine Henderson Jacobs and Fred Jacobs. His charisma, combined with his intellect, kindness, and compassion are how so many people knew him. He was a most loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Anyone who knew him would agree that it is impossible to exaggerate the genuine love and kindness in his heart, the determination and passion of his spirit, and the strength of his faith in God, and his love for his family.

Linwood grew up in the Newtown area of South Richmond where he attended and joined Second Baptist Church. There he sang in the choir, served as a member of the Boy Scouts, and participated in the Baptist Training Union (BTU). In addition, he learned many vocational skills from the men of the church as they built the church’s parsonage. He enjoyed learning from them how to stake off the plot for the building, along with painting, carpentry, wallpapering, and drywall installation.

Also, as a youngster, Linwood loved to reinvent and improve everything. He took a sister’s new bicycle and improved it by rearranging the handlebars. He added his personal touches that he thought would make it more special for her. To his dismay, no one was pleased with what he had done.

He attended Blackwell Elementary School and Armstrong High School. While at Armstrong, he was an active member of the Negro History Club, Cadet Corps, and the Baseball and Track Teams. After, high school, he attended Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, where he participated in many extra-curricular activities including the Virginia State Players and the Track Team. He became a football trainer, and he pledged his beloved Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

While at VSU, Linwood was drafted to serve in the United States Navy. He was stationed on Chincoteague Island on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. After his military tour, Linwood returned to his beloved Virginia State University where he graduated in 1960. While serving in the Navy, Linwood rose to the rank of Captain. Throughout his life he continued to persevere and learn many skills that would impact how he forged ahead to achieve and accomplish his lifetime goals.

Linwood obtained both his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Virginia. He began his professional career as a counselor/teacher at the Hanover Juvenile Correctional Facility for Boys. He worked as a social worker and assistant principal for Richmond Public Schools, and served as dean of students for the University of Virginia and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, retiring in 1997 after several years of service. Following retirement from his educational career, Linwood operated group homes, served as a landlord for several properties, painted and performed consultant work. He was skillful in many areas and would mentor those who sought his knowledge. Having owned more than 30 vehicles during his lifetime, he was considered an automobile enthusiast.

Throughout his life, he would seize every opportunity to angle fish. His knowledge of boating and fishing was exceptional and the catalyst to his participation in the Sports Anglers Club of Richmond. Linwood was involved in numerous community service, professional and social organizations, including the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Club 533, Richmond Branch NAACP, the Richmond Crusade for Voters, the Tots and Teens of Richmond, and the Boys and Girls Club.

In addition to his parents, Linwood was predeceased in death by his sisters, Carolyn Jacobs Merritt and Marjorie J. Dickens Brown; and step-son James C. Wallace Jr. Linwood’s loving memory will be forever cherished by his loving and devoted wife, Dr. Margaret Lucas Jacobs; his beloved daughter, Jocelynn E. Jacobs; granddaughter, Dilynn A. Wade; grandsons, James Elliott-Wallace and Rashad Davis-Gladney; brother-in-law, Dr. Samuel N. Merritt; nieces, Karen K. Brown-Taylor (William), Dr. Gina Merritt Finney (Dr. Sean Finney) and Carla M. Huang (James); great nieces, Maya K. Finney, Jaela Huang, Makayla Huang and Kaylee Huang and great nephew, Jacob Finney.