Rev James Robert Mackey

Reverend James Robert Mackey, 73, changed his address from earth to heaven on November 30, 2021 at Ochsner Baptist Hospital in New Orleans, LA with his family at his side. He is survived by his beloved wife Pamela Stahl Mackey, to whom he was married for forty-three years; his son Stephen Paul Mackey, his daughter Sarah Mackey Parks (Matthew), as well as four grandchildren: Emma, Eli, Oliver, and Owen. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul Dee Mackey and Emma Lou Pollard Mackey, and by an infant brother, William Paul Mackey.
A gathering of friends and family will be held on Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 2-4pm at Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200 Canal Blvd, New Orleans. A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 1:00-2:45 pm at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, 639 North Main Street, Greenville SC, with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 3:00 pm.
Jim was born on May 25, 1948 in Greenville SC to Paul and Emma Mackey. He spent his childhood in Greenville and the surrounding area, often creating happy memories while visiting his many extended Mackey and Pollard family members.
Jim found his calling early in his young life as he discovered his God-given talent for creating music. He soon became a skilled pianist and organist, and while still a youth himself, taught others. After graduation from Wade Hampton High School and the University of SC (Music Education), he went on to educate many students of all ages over the course of the rest of his life.
In addition to being a gifted musician and educator, Jim had a variety of other callings. As an ordained minister, he served at Augusta Heights and Laurel Baptist Church in Greenville, as well as at First Baptist Church in Belvedere, SC. Members of his youth groups from those days still share fond memories of choir tours, their musical group called Faith, Savings, and Trust, and yearly beach trips to Garden City (SC) Chapel. When recalling those times, those former youth, many of whom now have ministries of their own, readily speak of the positive impact that Jim had on their lives. Of particular significance to Jim during that season of his life was the opportunity he had to serve with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and to accompany several well-known vocalists, including Cliff Barrows, Andrae Crouch and Myrtle Hall.
In 1985, Jim found a new calling as a social worker and children’s home administrator, which resulted in he and his family serving at Epworth Children’s Home in Columbia SC for over seventeen years and at Boys and Girls Homes of NC in Lake Waccamaw NC for several more. In this role, he became a well-respected advocate for children and youth who found themselves in need of someone to stand up for them and offer them opportunities. Many young and middle-aged adults who were in Jim’s care gratefully attribute their current successful lives to Jim’s intervention and guidance in their youth. This aspect of Jim’s life is best summed up in one of his favorite quotes: “One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had, nor what my clothes were like, but the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child.”
Due to health issues, Jim reluctantly retired from full time work in 2010, but found a new calling as “Papa” to his grandchildren. He, Pam, and Stephen then moved to New Orleans to be close to them.  Jim often spoke of his pride in and deep love for his family, and they all spent many happy times making memories together.
In addition to being a man of many talents and abilities, Jim was also a man of many interests. In his younger years, he enjoyed photography, boating, waterskiing, camping, performing gospel magic, and traveling; he felt especially blessed to be able to go “walk where Jesus walked” in Israel in 2000.  In his later years, he loved reading (especially C.S. Lewis) and researching family history. For his whole life, he was a real “people person”, always ready to talk to anyone about any subject, and always interested in learning what was of interest and importance to others.
Jim lived a life that was rich in accomplishments. He leaves behind many people, young and old, who were greatly impacted by the way lived his life, by the qualities he valued, by the legacy of love, laughter, faith, and memories of the best kind that he has given to us. He truly lived out Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Jim’s memory to Epworth Children’s Home (epworthchildrenshome.org) or Grace at the Greenlight Homeless Outreach (graceatthegreenlight.org).
Garden of Memories Funeral Home is assisting the family in New Orleans, as is Thomas McAfee Funeral Home in Greenville.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev James Robert Mackey, please visit our floral store.