1
tree
planted in memory of Ollie R. Mackey
Obituary for Ollie R. Mackey
Remembering Sister Ollie Ruth
Ollie Ruth Heard Mackey, the daughter of the late Essie L. Heard and the late Floyd W. Heard, was born October 23,1940 in Hanover (Decatur County) Georgia. She was a miracle from the start. Born months premature, she was not supposed to make it through the night. But God had plans for this beautiful soul. Ollie Ruth would thrive after taking an eternity to inhale her first breath. She achieved great heights academically, as she eventually graduated third (historian) in her class at Hutto High School in 1958. In fact, she grew to be healthy enough to play high school basketball (with a mean left hook shot) and to eventually go on to college and major in health and physical education. But her greatest accomplishment was to accept Jesus Christ as her personal savior at an early age. She started her Christian journey at Mt Zion M.B. Church in Cyrene, GA, where her father was a deacon, and her mother was the church pianist.
While attending Hutto High School, Ollie Ruth would catch the eye of a brilliant student athlete named Abner Clark Mackey. They would eventually go off to separate colleges, but the distance could not keep them apart, as they united in holy matrimony while still in college. Some four years later, they welcomed a healthy baby boy, Andre.
Ollie Ruth received the Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education from Fort Valley State College (now University), the Master of Education Degree from Florida A and M University, the Education Specialist Degree from Troy State University and ten years after retirement, at the age of 68, she received the Bachelor of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies (summa cum laude) from Kaplan University.
As an obvious life-long learner, this dedicated educator, would have a life-long impact on generations of students. Her experiences as an educator include teaching on elementary, high school and college levels. In addition, she has worked for the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), serving on the GAE Instruction and Professional Development Committee and the GAE Governing Board. She organized the Georgia Breakfast-NEA Convention and served as Area 12 GAE UniServe Director. She has also served as GAE District II Director and was Assistant Principal at Bainbridge High School for 9 years before retiring in 1999.
Some of Ollie’s civic and professional affiliations have been, member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education, National Education Association, GAE, Decatur County Association of Educators, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Oak City Chapter #253 Order of the Eastern Star (Past Worthy Matron), ABAC & SRTC College Ambassadors (Past Chairperson), Decatur County Tax Assessors Board, and Bainbridge/Decatur Retired Teachers Association.
Ollie was a member of First A.B. Church for much of her adult life before moving to St Paul M.B. Church. She was a devoted Sunday School teacher, served with the Mission and Music Ministries, and was Ministry Leader of Christian Connection.
Ollie Ruth transitioned from labor to reward the evening of Sunday, July 21,2024, at her earthly home with her son and family by her side. She leaves to cherish her memory of a loving and caring son, Dr. Andre Carnegie Mackey, sisters Mary H. King of Miami, Fl, Jane E. McCain of Augusta, GA, a sister-in-law, Pauline M. Love-Gaines of Bainbridge, GA and was preceded in death by a sister, Alice L. Heard and a brother, Robert Jones. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
26
Jul
3:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Bruton Mortuary
635 Bruton Street
Bainbridge, GA 39819
Service
Saturday
27
Jul
12:00 PM
St. Paul M.B. Church
2714 Thomasville Rd.
Bainbridge, GA 39819
Cemetery Details
Location
Jonas Lobe Cemetery
1287 Carter St.
Bainbridge, GA 39819
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