Zachary Charles Mackey

Remembering A Father, A Brother, An Uncle and A Friend

Zachary Charles Mackey, 70, of Worcester, MA, passed away May 26, 2025. Born on January 5, 1955, to the late Reverend Zeddie Mackey and Jeanette Mackey. Zack was the start of the family tree. At an early age he made it clear that he was the oldest. It was his job to provide guidance and protection. With six siblings beneath him he seemed to maintain his position even in his passing. He was a joy to be around laughing and talking. If you knew Zack well, you knew not to stand to close to him when he started laughing. 

Zack was educated in the Albany City Public Schools and then transferred to St. Joseph where he attended until senior graduation. He was an avid sports fan and his favorite teams were the Pittsburg Steelers, NY Yankees, and Los Angeles Lakers. You could also say he was an avid band wagoner. During high school he was a well-rounded basketball player, known throughout the Class A and AA as a threat to be reckoned with along with his fierce team mates. During those early years you would also find him playing baseball in the Arbor Hill Little League. A talent scout from Kansas City Royals came to see him play and was interested in him. He decided, instead, to join the military. Although his stay in the military was not long, he was able to gain and maintain long term friendships. He returned home to work in the family grocery store, “Mackey’s” and at Tobin First Prize, where he worked until he lost a finger.  He continued to work in the grocery store and at the Veterans Hospital for several years. He decided to move to South Carolina to rejoin his brothers and parents. While in Greenwood, he worked at Carolina Pride for several years.

Zack was raised by Christian parents, who instilled in him the need to be in love with Christ. He was baptized at an early age. He attended Sunday School and church services along with his siblings, and as always asserted his rule of thumb over them. He was the oldest and ensured everyone stayed in line with the rules Mom and Dad set. He didn’t always follow but made sure everyone else did or else!

Zack answered a call from God to share the gospel with the world. In order to complete this task, he understood that he must first study and show himself approved. Zack attended and graduated from Morris College, (HBCU), Sumter, SC with a BA degree in Pastoral Ministry. He went on to further his education at Interdenominational Theological Center at Morehouse School of Religion, (HBCU) Atlanta, GA and received a MA degree in Divinity. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He spoke frequently as a guest minister at locations throughout the south and northeast United States. 

Zack leaves to mourn his passing, two sons, Zachary J. Mackey (Philadelphia) and Kendrick Yeldell (Avis) four grandchildren, Asis, Kobe, MaKenzy and KJ, (Greenwood, SC). He also leaves to cherish his memory, brothers, Kenneth (Albany, NY), Elston (Albany, NY), Eric (Greenwood, SC), Wayne (Denise) (Rockhill, SC) and one sister, Cheryl (Willie) (Bethune, SC). Nieces:  Sonya, Noel, Tiona, Tasha, Imandi, Jarita, Raven, Madison, Makayla, Cheryl and Moné; Nephews: Tony, Elston, Julian, Zeddie and Wayne. A host of great nieces and nephews are left to cherish his life. God Brothers Tommy Stanford along with his family, and Derrick Bradley, God Sister, Ebony Tillery-White. He also leaves behind one paternal uncle Benny Mackey (Albany, NY); one maternal uncle George McCoy (Hampton, VA); two maternal aunts Betty McCord (Fayetteville, NC), Pearlie Price (Albany, NY) and Great Aunt Ruth McCoy (Albany, NY) and a host of cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Zeddie and Jeanette Mackey; brother, Warren Mackey; paternal grandmother, Mandy Mackey; maternal grandparents, Reverend Charlie and Bertha McCoy; Aunts; Jane Moore, Ruth Pounds, Rose Washington, Queenie Dow, Alice Ruth Drakeford, Pauline Danzy, Mary Frances Brice, Bessie Gross; uncles; Jimmy Mackey, Lester Mackey, Willie McCoy, and Harry McCoy. To his many friends, young and old, he often spoke of you in conversations filled with memories and laughter. He loved you all!

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