By: WSB Community
UNION CITY, Ga. – Pianist Hermione Jackson passed away in her sleep on October 21, just 3 months before her 102nd birthday.
The music enthusiast moved to Georgia a few years ago to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law. During her time in the Peach State, Jackson’s renditions of “Over the Rainbow” and “Amazing Grace” reached millions of people online.
In 2014, she performed for a group of aspiring musicians from South Atlanta High School at her assisted-living facility.
“It’s a blessing from God to be 99 and be able to play piano so good,” student Christian Grier said. “This is just inspiring to me.”
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Jackson began playing piano when she was 5 years old. The musician graduated from Rust College in 1936, receiving a Bachelors in music and English. The scholar went on to earn her Master’s Degree in classical piano in 1947. Jackson was the first African American to enroll in the program at Northwestern University’s School of Music.
The Mississippi native began her teaching career at Jackson State University as a choral director. She later moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where she spent 57 years teaching at Booker T. Washington High School and Maury High School.
A scholarship fund has been established in her name through the Iota Omega chapter of AKA Sorority.
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