Macqueline Joseph's Obituary
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.
What’s your fondest memory of Macqueline?
What’s a lesson you learned from Macqueline?
Share a story where Macqueline's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Macqueline you’ll never forget.
How did Macqueline make you smile?