ORLANDO — The founder of the New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando, former Orange County NAACP president and Bethune Cookman University religion department director Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr. died on Sunday.

He was 78 years old.

He is remembered throughout the community for his efforts at the church and in business. Dr. Randolph Bracy founded the church in 1992. He served as a preacher there until 2015.

Bracy has been described as a guiding light who spent his life showing compassion to others. 

He was an educator, pastor, husband, and community leader.

Bracy was also a champion of economic development. He helped create the Rio Grande Charter school and a state-of-the-art senior complex. 

His efforts have created 60 jobs and a corporate worth of $20 million. In 2016, Bethune-Cookman University tapped Bracy as the dean of their new School of Religion.

Daughter, and local state representative LaVon Bracy, says her dad had a motto for everyone to live by.

“Service is the rent you pay for the space you occupy,” said Bracy.

She said her dad spent most of his time asking himself, “What can he do for someone else?”

LaVon Bracy believes she will carry on her dad's efforts in some capacity.

“I’m here because I had parents who all my life insisted that we be servants in some capacity. I did not know that would be as a lawmaker,” she said.

As a recently elected lawmaker, she hopes to bring positive change and growth to the community, just like her father would want her to do. 

In lieu of flowers, people are asked to consider donating to Wright the Vision Inc.

Money will be used for scholarships to the Bethune Cookman University school of religion students.