Macqueline Joseph

On March 22, 1947 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Macqueline Arline Jenkins became the second child born to the late Samuel P. Jenkins, Sr. and Rosa Belle Clark Jenkins. On Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 7:20 a.m. at Barnes Jewish Hospital, our Lord in His infinite wisdom, called her home. “Mackie”, as she was affectionately called, was baptized at an early age at Wesley United Methodist Church and was educated in the Southern University (SU) System from grades 1-12 in Baton Rouge. After graduating from the SU Lab School in 1964, Mackie enrolled at Southern University and A&M College for the summer session. In the fall of 1964, Mackie was among the first Black students to integrate Louisiana State University’s Undergraduate School. It was a difficult time for those pioneers and Mackie returned to Southern University in 1965. In 1968, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Mackie and Reginald (Reggie) Joseph were joined in Holy Matrimony in 1967. To this union, one daughter, Kimberly NoElle, was born. After Reggie graduated from SU, the family relocated to Boston, Massachusetts. After two years, they moved to Buffalo, New York, where they spent a year. From there, Reggie, Mackie, and Kim moved to Saint Louis, Missouri where they have resided since 1972. Mackie’s work career in Saint Louis began at McDonnell Douglas Corporation, where she held positions in Human Resources and Client Services for almost twenty years. After leaving McDonnell Douglas, she was employed by the Winchester Division of Olin Corporation as a Dealer Services Representative from which she retired on June 12, 2012. Mackie ADORED her family and friends. She celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, graduations; any and every holiday, with confetti tucked into the cards she sent. She was extremely organized and kept comprehensive records for her family, church, clubs and alumni. She truly was an avid reader. The books in her library are perfectly placed, bookmarked, and catalogued. Mackie loved playing cards and board games. In her earlier days, she participated in basketball, softball, volleyball, and even bowling. She enjoyed going to the movies, shows, and musicals. She benefited from Reggie’s enjoyment of cooking. However, she liked eating out (particularly if shrimp was on the menu) and most of all traveling with Reggie, family, and friends. Mackie valued her long association with Southern University. She looked forward to attending SU Alumni Conferences, Bayou Classic and engaging with her high school classmates from the SU Lab School. Mackie thoroughly enjoyed her mother/daughter trips with Kim. She genuinely looked forward to traveling to Kansas City to watch her grandson, Hunter, play football; additionally, visiting with her ‘grand dogs’, Rocky and Micky. Mackie joined Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. Church in 1996 under Pastor Edmund Lowe and remained a faithful member until her passing. She was involved in many church activities over the years including the Steward Board, Heavenly Hosts, Class Leader for the COR Crusaders, the Evangelism Ministry and Chair of Membership Retention. Mackie was a Life Member (Sapphire Level) of the Southern University Alumni Federation. She served as Recording Secretary for the Alumni for twenty-two years, under six different presidents including her husband, Reggie. In 1999, Mackie was inducted into the SU Alumni Hall of Fame. She was also a Life Member of the Saint Louis Chapter of the SU Alumni Federation. Mackie was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a member of the Saint Louis Alumnae Chapter and Secretary of the JT Investment Group. In 1990, Mackie was diagnosed with breast cancer which went into remission until 2004. Unfortunately, in 2023, nineteen years later, the breast cancer had aggressively returned and metastasized to her right lung. Throughout her medical treatments, she shared her journey with others and continued to exude positive energy and faith. Mackie leaves to cherish her memory: husband ~ Reginald J. Joseph; daughter ~ Kimberly N. Staley of Kansas City, Missouri; grandson, ~ Hunter J. Staley of Kansas City, Missouri; sister ~ Jacqueline J. Brown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; brother ~ Samuel P. Jenkins (Sherri) of Florissant, Missouri; father-in-law ~ Curtis Joseph of Port Arthur, Texas; sister-in-law ~ Jocelyn Holloway of Beaumont, Texas; nieces ~ Bethany Jenkins and God-child, Kenna Jenkins of Florissant, Missouri; Yvette Broussard and Keisha Broussard of Port Arthur, Texas; nephews ~ Eric Andre (Felicia) Joseph of Beaumont, Texas and Morris (Quintella) Broussard, Jr. of Houston, Texas; great nieces and nephew ~ Victoria Jenkins, Stormy Broussard Owens and Uriah Kornegay. In addition, Ray Staley and an abundant number of loving and caring cousins and friends. Mackie was preceded in transition by: her parents, grandparents; mother-in-law ~ Mildred Joseph; sister-in-law ~ Sharon Broussard and brothers-in-law ~ Alex Brown and Curtis Joseph, Jr.

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Macqueline Joseph

March 23, 1947 - July 13, 2023