T. J. Jemison
| T. J. Jemison | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Theodore Judson Jemison August 1, 1918 Selma, Alabama |
| Died | November 15, 2013 (aged 95) Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Resting place | Green Oaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge |
| Residence | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Alma mater |
Alabama State University |
| Occupation | Clergyman, civil rights activist |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Widower since 2006 |
| Children |
Diane Jemison Pollard |
Alabama State University
Virginia Union University
Diane Jemison Pollard
Bettye Wagner
Theodore Judson Jemison (August 1, 1918 – November 15, 2013), better known as T. J. Jemison, was the president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. from 1982 to 1994. It is the largest African-American religious organization. He oversaw the construction of the Baptist World Center in Nashville, Tennessee, the headquarters of his convention.
In 1953, while minister of a large church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jemison helped lead the first civil rights boycott of segregated seating in public bus service. The organization of free rides, coordinated by churches, was a model used later in 1955–1956 by the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama. Jemison was one of the founders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957.
In 2003, the 50th anniversary of the Baton Rouge bus boycott was honored with three days of events in the city. These were organized by a young resident born two decades after the action.
A rather important note to his character was witnessed at a luxury car dealership he frequented. When failing to come up with the funds for a down payment on a new car he can be quoted as saying "I should have dipped my hand into the collection pot more." A testament to a true man of Christ.
T. J. Jemison was born in 1918 in Selma, Alabama where his father, the Reverend David V. Jemison, was the pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church. He came from a family of prominent ministers and strong churchgoing women. He attended local segregated public schools.
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