On July 15, 1998, Gabriel Luke Jackson was born to Natasha Jackson and Luke Jackson at Chesapeake General Hospital, Chesapeake, VA.  From birth, Gabriel's dimples lit up the lives of his family.  As an infant, Gabriel was dedicated to God at Gordon Chapel AME Church, Chesapeake.  As a toddler, he learned his letters and numbers very quickly, thanks to his Nana, great-aunt Katie.  He was always helpful in assisting his Nana in caring for his great-grandmother Thelma. His father lovingly introduced him to the Boston Celtics and the Washington Commanders (formerly Redskins), and he instantly became a fan!  He kept a smile on his face. He attended Mount Lebanon Christian Academy, where his two teachers, Ms. Darlene and Ms. Cindy, taught him scripture and the fear of the Lord.

Gabriel had a fascination with whales and dolphins.  He knew all of the facts about the major species.  He started collecting anything that reminded him of his favorite mammals.  At the height of his fascination, he had over 500 individual items in his collection.  He loved going dolphin and whale watching all year long.

When Gabriel's father transferred to Honolulu, he started kindergarten at Grace Christian Academy and attended for 3 years.  It was here that he started playing  soccer, football, and basketball through the military youth sports league (at age 6).  He and his family joined the City of Refuge Christian Church, Waipahu, HI, where he was active in both the Children's Choir and the Children's Church Ministries.

Gabriel became a big brother while living in Honolulu, and he understood his role of leading by example.  Every time Caleb, his little brother, cried, Gabriel always knew exactly what to do to make him smile; even Mom and Dad couldn't figure out how to make him stop crying!  Gabriel always wanted a little brother as a partner.  The moment Caleb could hold a controller, he immediately took him to play on his Xbox 360, and he would play almost any and all games that had split-screen. When Caleb wasn't playing split-screen, he would always try to watch his big brother play, even if it meant getting in the way (Gabriel never liked that!).

Gabriel would talk to Caleb while doing homework to let him know what he was learning.  His love for his brother was the gift that allowed him to always make him laugh whenever he was crying.  Although his love for God's creatures may have started with marine life, Gabriel quickly found a place in his heart for all of nature.  Whatever he had to do, he wanted to do it outside.  He loved eating outside.  His family went to the beach every Thursday after his father got home from work and, each time, he played like it was his first time ever seeing a beach!

When his father was stationed in California, Gabriel attended La Mesa Christian School for 3 years. He continued playing football and participated in various forensics competitions that were sponsored by their private school league.  While in California, Gabriel and his family joined Word of Life Christian Center in Spring Valley.

Gabriel begged for a pet and promised to take care of it with his brother.  He was given a pet Betta fish named Mr. Bubbles.  He took care of Mr. Bubbles like he was his first child.  When he wasn't gaming, he would be helping his family or doing homework, with his little brother by his side.

When his family returned to Virginia, Gabriel attended Atlantic Shores Christian School, where he formed many bonds and played football.  He also attended Crestwood Middle School. While in middle school, he had his first job at the Church of the Living God Center for Change as a Summer Camp Counselor.  He loved serving God's people.  He and his family returned to Gordon Chapel AME Church, Chesapeake, VA.  Gabriel memorized a new Bible verse every week for the Children's Altar Moments. He was often seen in his room reading his Bible and in prayer throughout the week.

Gabriel loved his grandparents.  He learned his amazing work ethic from his grandfather Gurnie.  Gabriel insisted on arriving at least 30 minutes early everywhere he went!  He learned the value of communication from his grandmother Cynthia.  Gabriel's leadership skills earned him recognition.  Grandma Elaine gave him an appreciation for home cooked meals.  He would miss every meal all day when he knew he was going to her house to eat.  His grandmother Marie welcomed him into the world, and they developed a special bond as she cared for him. While attending Oscar Smith High School, he joined the ROTC.

Gabriel's uncle Keifen was his role model and confidante.  He looked forward to the most unique gifts from his Aunt Janine as she remembered him during her many travels.

Gabriel graduated from Grassfield High School.  He was the person in whom everyone could confide.  He had such a way of talking to people that it made him practically a safe haven, and he became a "social butterfly."  Gabriel learned how to take the issues of others to God in prayer.  He made sure to remain especially close with his Mom, his Dad, and his brother.  He would go with his Mom and Dad to run errands, or babysit Caleb when it was needed.

Gabriel often represented his church during youth events hosted by the Norfolk Eastern Shore District of the Second Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  He attended weekly services and served in any capacity, as needed.  Even after working a full shift at work, he served alongside his Pastor and other church leaders in the Sick and Shut-in Ministry.  He and his brother were often the youngest members there.  He served as a Vacation Bible School teacher for many years, as well.

Gabriel thoroughly enjoyed video games and sports. He eventually found his favorite games of all time, Madden NFL and NBA 2k.  Those games connected him to his friends, and his family often heard him playing late at night!  He loved everything about Godzilla and became an expert in Godzilla movies and trivia.

Gabriel found a job that led him to a career in customer service at McDonald's, where he would eventually work up to becoming a Shift Manager. He loved his McDonald's crew as a second family.

There was nothing sad about Gabriel.  Everywhere he went, he lit up the room.  He would've wanted his family and friends to remember the good times they had together.  Until we see him again, we will hold him near and dear in our hearts.

A child of God, a lover of aquatic life, Monsters, and sports, while also being the best brother Caleb could ever ask for, Gabriel Luke Jackson will be missed.  But pain does not happen without a purpose, and God knew exactly when Gabriel was born, and exactly when his task on earth was fulfilled.

Gabriel had so much love that came to him from blood-kin and love-kin.  He is predeceased by his great-grandparents, Jackson and Thelma Wilkes, John Thomas McCoy, Gurnie, Sr., and Thelma Blunt, and Georgia Blunt; grandfather, Thomas McCoy; great-uncle, Ricky Blunt; and great-aunt, Barbara Deloatch.

Gabriel is survived by his parents, Luke and Natasha Jackson, and brother, Caleb Jackson, Chesapeake, VA; grandparents, Rev. Marie McCoy, Chesapeake; Ms. Elaine Jackson, Norfolk, VA; and Mr. and Mrs. Gurnie and Cynthia Blunt, Laurel, MD; great-grandparents, Mrs. Dorothy Kirby, West Haven, CT; and Rev. Undine G. McCoy, Virginia Beach, VA; aunts, Christy McCoy, Virginia Beach; Janine Blunt, Laurel, MD; and Amanda Lawrence, Fredericksburg, VA; uncles, Keifen Blunt (Jamesia), Fredericksburg; and Thomas McCoy III, Virginia Beach; great-aunts, Nora Dove (Rufus), Alexandria, VA; Claudette Blunt Mason, Lakeland, TN; Thea "Annette" Lettley (Allen), Dacula, GA; Dorothy Blunt (Uncle Ricky's wife), Courtland, VA; Sonya Artis (Reuben), Chesapeake; Thresa Roseboro, Ansonia, CT; Tamara Kirby and Joyce Kirby, West Haven, CT; L.F. Wilkes, Austin, TX; Alberta Minters and Katie Wilkes, Chesapeake; Sonora "Sonni" Benn (Cody), Juanita Harris, and Mary Brown (James), Virginia Beach; great uncles, Darren McCoy (Juanita), Portsmouth, VA; Claude Knight (Theresa), Greensboro, NC; Roger Knight (Phyllis), Lithonia, GA; and Larry Blunt (Dr. MeChelle), Courtland, VA; Arnold Kirby (Mildred), Derby, CT,  and Jerry Blunt, Franklin, VA; great-great aunts, Mrs. Tama M. Johnson, Jamaica, NY; Mrs. Virginia McDonald, Baltimore, MD; and Mrs. Dora McDonald, New York, NY; godmother, Dr. Joy Gallup, Portsmouth; and godfather, Mark Balthazar, Norfolk; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The viewing will be from 5-7pm Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, 500 Liberty Street, Chesapeake. The Homegoing Service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Lee's Chapel AME Church, 1036 Bells Mill Road, Chesapeake. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

You can join the service livestream 10:00 am  at: https://www.facebook.com/leeschapelamechesapeake/