John Stephen Mackey

John Stephen (Steve) Mackey , age 77, died Friday, June 13, 2025 at UNC Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC, following a brief illness.

Steve was born and raised in Birmingham, AL, son of the late Jack McCoy Mackey and the late Juanita Ballard Mackey. When Steve turned 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as Sgt in Vietnam 1968-69. Following his release from active duty, he attended the University of Alabama-Birmingham and graduated with a Bachelor's and Master's degrees. His career was spent serving Veterans as a Rehabilitation Counselor with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Birmingham, AL. After his retirement, he relocated with his wife, Patricia Smith, to Chapel Hill, NC in 2013. He quickly became a Tar Heel and avid UNC sports enthusiast, and participated in neighborhood activities. Steve loved helping others and making new friends. He enjoyed volunteering, with a special connection to two local non-profits:

-PORCH Chapel Hill/Carrboro, a hunger relief organization. Steve "signed up" as a co-neighborhood coordinator in Aug, 2013 and was hooked from then on.

-SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals, an organization that provides a safe, nurturing and affordable home for patients and their loved ones who travel great distances to UNC Hospitals for life-saving procedures and serious illnesses. Steve discovered volunteer opportunities a few years ago and looked forward to many more in the future.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Smith of Chapel Hill, NC; Son, Fr. Alan Mackey of Huntsville, AL; Daughter, Melissa Deakle (spouse, Keith), Birmingham, AL; Granddaughter, Abigail Deakle; and Grandson, Eli Deakle, both of Birmingham, AL; and Brother, Michael Mackey; and Sister, Bobbye Mackey, both of Lillian, AL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to:

PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro, PO Box 16363, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (or, online at chapelhill.porchcommunities.org)

SECU Family House, 123 Old Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 (or, online at secufamilyhouse.org)