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Obituary For Dessa E. Harris Mackey
Ms. Dessa E. Harris Mackey, age 84, of Locust Grove, GA, formerly of West Point, GA, transitioned on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at her residence.
Ms. Dessa Elaine Harris Mackey began this life on June 9, 1937. Babysister, as she was affectionately called, was the second child of three children, born to the late Dessie and O’Dessa Harris.
She accepted Christ at a young age and joined the family church, St. Paul AME, Lanett, AL. She matriculated through Lanett City Schools and graduated from Lanier High School with the class of 1956.
As a young child, Dessa enjoyed spending time with her grandmother, Mrs. Lydia Pollard, traveling or playing with her friends. She was not one to stay home, as she delighted in either working in the family store or visiting other family members. She was her grandmother’s traveling companion.
Following High School graduation, Dessa met and married Frazier Mackey. From this union, five children were born. While married, Dessa served as a military wife and enjoyed traveling to various military bases over the United States and the island of GUAM.
Relocating to Columbus, GA in 1975, Dessa furthered her education, by attending Columbus Technical College. She began her career with American Family Life Assurance Company (AFLAC) in 1976 and retired from AFLAC in 1996. Not one to sit around, Dessa joined the family of retail, working part-time with the upscale department store Parisians. She retired from Parisians in 2007.
Dessa delighted in serving the Lord, joining in service with St. John AME in Columbus, where she served as an usher and worked on various committees. In 2013, Dessa relocated to McDonough, GA, where she enjoyed various activities, including participating in a senior citizen’s exercise group and attending church. Dessa’s greatest love was her family. She took great pleasure in visiting or having her family visit her. She always had a story to share, or you could sit and watch Andy Griffith, Sanford & Son, or her favorite Westerns with her. Dessa lived a life full of love.
Dessa was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Betty Jean Harris Malone, her son, Jeffrey Jerome Mackey, and grandson, Kellen Jerome Mackey. Dessa transitioned peaceably, in her sleep, on February 27, 2022, at home in Locust Grove, GA.
Her legacy of love is entrusted to her remaining children, Constance L. Mackey, Glenda F. Turner, Donna C. Mackey-Pollard (Nathaniel) and Theresa M. Mackey. She is also survived by one brother, Benjamin A. Harris, 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She will be missed by all. Graveside Services for Mrs. Mackey will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. EST in the Pine Hill Cemetery, Lanett, AL with Minister Szandrique E. Johnson serving as the Eulogist and Rev. John Butler, assisting.
Public Viewing will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the mortuary.
Arrangements are entrusted to M. W. Lee Mortuary of West Point, GA.
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Dessa was one of a kind and I loved her dearly. I am so blessed that our paths crossed back in 1992 when she became my very first friend when we started working together at Aflac. Although we lost contact after her early retirement, I will forever cherish soooo many fond memories that we shared. She was so much more than a ex-coworker to me; she was a surrogate mother, sister, friend and my Angel! Prayers and blessings to her family that she loved and cherished so much! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
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