Charles E. Mackey

A funeral service for Charles E. Mackey, Most Illustrious Grand Master, 82 of Kershaw, SC will be held at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, 2015, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, 210 N. Matson St, where he was a member. Burial with Masonic Rites and Military Honors will follow in the Kershaw City Cemetery. The Revs. Eric Boone and Bill Truesdale will officiate. Charles was born on April 28, 1932, the eight child of nine children of Lewis Perry Mackey and Senia Croxton Mackey in Kershaw, SC. He was educated in the school system of Lancaster Co. graduating from Kershaw High School in 1952. He entered the U.S. Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He graduated from the U.S. Army Artillery Electronics and Guided Missile School at Fort Bliss, TX as a Radar Technician. He also graduated from Wingate College in 1960 with an Associates of Arts Degree and Attended the University of South Carolina. He was married to the late JoAnn Kennington Mackey of Kershaw. Their four children and spouses are Tom and Lynn Mackey Williams, Charles, II (Chuck) and Myra G. Mackey, Doug Mackey, Jesse and Beth Mackey McDonald. Charles was the grandfather of Jessica (Josh) Hancock, Sara (Todd) Shuster, Lara Seegars, C.C. (Carrie) Williams, Griffen (Tori) Williams and Bud Mackey, five great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. Charles was a former employee of the United States Postal Service from 1956 until his retirement in 1987. He served four years as a PTF Clerk in Kershaw and 27 years as a Rural Letter Carrier in Lugoff and Bethune. During his career with the Postal Service, Charles was actively involved in the Rural Letter Carriers Association. He held numerous positions in the Association for 30 years. He was a 3 year Board Member and a delegate to the National Convention for 10 years. He served as the Political Action Committee Chairman and President of the Fifth District. He was raised a Master Mason in Abney Lodge No. 211 in 1958. He served the Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1972 and 1973. He also served as Treasurer of Abney Lodge for 11 years. Charles was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Hart Chapter No. 59 in Kershaw where he served as High Priest. He was anointed, consecrated and set apart in the Holy Order of High Priesthood. He has served the Grand Chapter of SC as the District Deputy Grand High Priest for 2 years in the 5th District. In 1994, Charles was appointed the R.E. Grand Captain of the Host. He served as the Grand Representative to the Grand Chapter of North Dakota near the Grand Chapter of SC. Charles was greeted as a Select Master in Acme Council No. 47 in Kershaw where he served as Illustrious Master. H served as Secretary/Recorder of the York Rite Bodies, Hart Chapter No. 59 and Acme Council No. 47 in Kershaw. He received the Super Excellent Masters Degree in Aiken Council No. 23 at Aiken, SC and received the Thrice Illustrious Master. Charles served the Grand Council as the District Deputy Illustrious Grand Master in the 5th District. He was elected R.I. Grand Captain of the Guard in 1995, R. I. Rapid Grand Principal Conductor of the Work in 1996, R.I. Deputy Grand Master in 1997, and M.I. Grand Master in 1998. Charles was dubbed and created a Knight Templar in Camden Commandery No. 12 and demitted to Lancaster Commandery No. 19 where he served as Eminent Commander for 2 years. He was a life sponsor of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. Charles has served the Grand Commandery as the District Representative in the 5th District. Other appendant bodies of which Charles held member ships are: South Carolina Council No. 20 Knight Masons, Palmetto Priory No. 54 KYCH and Palmetto York Rite College No. 70. Charles was a charter Member and Past Sovereign Master of Kershaw Council No. 173, Allied Masonic Degrees. He was a member of Carolina Conclave and Red Cross of Constantine. He was a member of Order of the Eastern Star, Heath Springs Chapter where he had been a Past Worthy Patron of several terms and a Associate Patron. He was also a recipient of the Purple Cross of Honor. The family will receive friends following the committal service in the First Baptist Church Family Life Center on Tuesday, April 14. Memorial contributions may be made to SC Rural Letter Carriers Association, P.O. Box 486 Wagner, SC 29164 or to Abney Masonic Lodge, No. 211, c/o Sam Portman, 125 Blackmon Street, Kershaw, SC 29067. The casket will be placed in the Church at 3:00 p.m. prior to the service for viewing. Baker Funeral Home is serving the Mackey family.