Chapter Celestial Kappa Sigma
Brothers
Bell Toll in respect for our Passed Brothers
Mark Leonard Lowrey
Died:12/24/2023 Initiation Date:03/22/1964 Initiation Number:#0346 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Mark Leonard Lowrey, Jr. was called home by his Savior early morning on December 24, 2023. He was 78 years old. He spent the final week of his life at home with his family. Just like his father, who also died Christmas Eve morning, Mark’s final evening was spent with his family by his side as they enjoyed an early Christmas dinner.
Mark was born in 1945 to Mark Leonard Lowrey and Emelie Roberta Olson of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was older brother to Bill, Emelie (Parker), Erik, and Perrin. After graduating from Hattiesburg High School, he received a B.S. in business and marketing at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) (1967). He served one tour with the U.S. Army in Vietnam before returning home to enroll at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. He graduated with a Master of Divinity and a Master of Christian Education (1971). While earning these degrees, Mark worked in Hattiesburg in campus ministry (Westminster Fellowship) alongside his wife, Priscilla (a former InterVarsity Fellowship campus staff member). In 1978 he was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
Called to work full time in university student ministry, Mark founded Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) with the help of a few young men also involved in campus ministry. This grew from the early seeds in Mississippi and surrounding states (Coordinator 1977-83) to a nation-wide ministry of the PCA (National Coordinator 1983-1996). He spent the early years building the ministry, traveling extensively to support and train the campus ministers in their ministries, famously taking notes on napkins to capture ideas and illustrate vision. Every night he was away, he called Priscilla so they could talk over the day’s family affairs.
After 25 years at the helm of RUF, Mark joined Great Commission Publications, the official publishing house of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). Under his leadership as Director of Publications (1996-2020), the K-12 Sunday School curriculum was rewritten, including the “Show Me Jesus” curriculum. Mark carried GCP as Interim Executive Director (2020-2021) through the COVID-19 crisis, an event which closed many small publishing houses, and then as Executive Director (2021-2023). Through his tireless advocacy, GCP weathered the COVID-19 storm with minimal employee layoffs and slow return to profitability. GCP publishes the Trinity Hymnal.
Mark was interested and involved in civic pursuits. The son of the editor of the Hattiesburg American, Mark spent his first early-morning hours each day reading the news. One of his greatest interests was global, national, and local news. Mark’s love language was sharing articles of interest with family and friends. He enjoyed tracking the development of his local area and his hometown, and he always knew what changes were happening and why. In college he spent a summer in Washington, D.C. as an intern clerk in Congress. He was president of the student body the year USM was de-segregated; he and other student council members symbolically walked alongside the first African American students during their first days of class. As an adult, Mark voted in all local, state, and national elections. Whenever possible, he attended information sessions provided by local politicians and engaged the representatives in conversation afterwards. Believing in the power and responsibility to vote and simply be present, as a minister in the PCA, he also attended every General Assembly, except his final (50th) GA, and was involved in Presbytery (Mississippi Valley) as much as possible by distance. Although a great talker, Mark was wise with his words. He rarely shared his positional opinions publicly and believed that older leaders should allow each generation to grapple with key questions against scripture and their own consciences.
Mark loved those around him and strived to make their lives better in large and small ways. Although not a coffee drinker, he brought his wife coffee in bed every morning (and even baked fresh muffins for her early on!). Sometimes to their chagrin, Mark would answer a call from his children (and son-in-law) at any moment. Combining two loves – family and finding a deal – Mark constantly sought out opportunities and gifts for his family and those around him.
Mark is survived by his wife, Priscilla and his two children, Leonard and Elizabeth (and Matthew). Services will be held on January 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church (1438 Sheridan Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324) and on January 13 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting Great Commission Publications, Reformed University Fellowship, or Westminster Presbyterian Church (Atlanta, GA – PCA).
Steven John MacDonald
Died:12/18/2013 Initiation Date:02/05/1967 Initiation Number:#0435 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Steven John MacDonald age 67, of Tallahassee, FL, was called home to heaven by his savior Jesus Christ on December 18, 2013, surrounded by his family. Steve was born in Warren, Pennsylvania and graduated from Titusville Senior High School and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He and his wife Sheila settled in Titusville, Pennsylvania where they raised three children and Steve worked as a financial adviser. Steve loved to hunt, fish, play golf, and was an avid Cleveland Browns fan, but above all he loved the Lord and he loved his family. He had a heart for service and an infallible work ethic. His love, laughter and optimism will be missed by many.
Steve is survived by his wife, Shelia; son Ian MacDonald and daughter-in-law Carrie MacDonald of Fort Myers, FL; his daughter Stephanie MacDonald Gudeman and son-in-law Christopher Gudeman, and grandchildren Benjamin and Eva of Tallahassee, FL; his son-in-law Christian Lee and grandsons Timothy Steven (TS), Noah, and Gabriel of Tipp City, Ohio; his parents Reverend John and Susie MacDonald of Phoenix, Arizona; his brother Douglas (Ann) MacDonald of Rutherford, North Carolina; his brother Robert MacDonald of Titusville, Pennsylvania; his brother-in-law George (Joan) Falldine of Warner Robins, GA; his brother-in-law Kevin O’Brien of Tampa, Florida; his brother-in-law Donald O’Brien of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and best friends.
Steve was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa MacDonald Lee, and his mother-in -law Gloria O’Brien. A memorial service and reception will be held on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 901 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32303. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee,1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32308, or St. Peter’s Anglican Church of Tallahassee in memory of Steven John MacDonald.
Bevis Funeral Home (850/385-2193, www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.
John Renick Madeira Jr
Died:05/22/2009 Initiation Date:03/28/1965 Initiation Number:#0367 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Edward Fred Magenheimer
Died:03/29/2019 Initiation Date:02/05/1967 Initiation Number:#0426 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Edward passed away on Friday, March 29, 2019. Edward was a resident of Florida at the time of passing. Edward graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1971 and created a family of brothers in Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Following graduation Edward was commissioned as a 2 nd Lieutenant in the US Army. His employees loved working for him because he had the ability to bring the best out of people and as a leader, he recognized their contributions to SMC's success.
Harold Day “Hal” McDonald
Died:03/03/2024 Initiation Date:02/12/1984 Initiation Number:#0793 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
MAY 22, 1965 – MARCH 3, 2024 Ridgeland - Harold Day "Hal" McDonald, Jr., adored husband, brother, uncle and friend, passed away behind the wheel of a car he had lovingly rebuilt on Sunday, March 3rd. He leaves behind his devoted wife of nearly 28 years, Laurie Ella, as well as his beloved siblings, nieces, nephew, and countless friends.
Born and raised in Jackson, Hal was a graduate of Jackson Academy and later the University of Southern Mississippi where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Following college, Hal followed his father's footsteps into the insurance business and later worked with his brother at McDonald Claims.
From a young age, Hal began honing his lifelong passion of "tinkering." He had a real talent for repairing broken items and disassembling and reassembling cars with precision, no matter how intricate. More like "Hal MacGuyver," he could fix anything with nothing, and was the first person his friends and family called if they needed help with "tinkering" or anything car-related.
With his beloved wife by his side, Hal led a full life savoring the simple things, spending time with family, and pursuing his many hobbies. An outdoorsman, he also enjoyed photography, hunting with his metal detector, and most of all, working on his vintage cars at The Motor Club in West Jackson. Cooking and grilling on the Big Green Egg, a cherished gift from his wife, was another passion of Hal's. The hours he spent on the Egg crafting meals to share with his family will always be appreciated and never forgotten, nor will all the grilling and cooking tips and tricks he shared with his loved ones.
Hal was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ethelyn McDonald, nephew Steven Downs, and brother-in-law Walter Heslep. He is survived by his wife Laurie Ella, sister Linda, brother Gary (Sandra), sister Tammy Franklin (Scott), nieces Kristen Miller (Brent), Christina Temple (Mitch), Mary Landon Pope (Chris), Janet Huffstatler (BJ), and nephew Eric McDonald (Heather), as well as numerous great nieces and nephews who all adored him.
Visitation services to honor Hal's life will be held on Friday, March 6 from 5-7PM and Saturday, March 7 at 11AM at Parkway Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 12PM and a reception to celebrate Hal's life and impact will be held there directly after.
The void Hal's death has left for all who knew him is already profoundly and deeply felt. A family member said of Hal, "he was a man of very few words, but every word counted." Of his life we say, we did not get enough moments with Hal, but every single one of them we got, counted.
Raymond Gibson “Gibby” McEachern
Died:12/30/2013 Initiation Date:05/20/1967 Initiation Number:#0457 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
JUNE 10, 1948 – DECEMBER 30, 2013
Raymond Gibson McEachern, 65, passed away Monday December 30, 2013 at the U.M.C Medical Center. Funeral services will be held Thursday January 2, 2014 at 11:00am from the chapel of Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home Ridgeland,MS. Visitation will be from 10:00am till 11:00. Burial will be in Parkway Memorial Cemetery.
Mr. Mc Eachern was a University of Southern Mississippi Alumni, a huge fan of Southern Miss, Mississippi State, Texas Long Horns and the New Orleans Saints football, he loved his children and family very much.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Malcom McEachern and Josephine McEachern, and his son, Mark McEachern.
Survivors include his children, Wyatt McEachern, Jill McEachern, John McEachern and Amy McEachern; brothers, Frank McEachernand Charles McEachern; and sisters, Laura McEachern, Josy McEachern and Hazel McEachern.
Charles Victor “Dude” McElwee III
Died:07/29/2019 Initiation Date:02/05/1967 Initiation Number:#0436 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Charles V. “Dude” McElwee, III, age 75, passed away on July 29, 2019 in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was a resident of Louisville and a member of Vernon United Methodist Church. He was an avid outdoorsman and beloved grandfather. Mr. McElwee enjoyed a long career in banking throughout the state. He retired from the Mississippi Department of Transportation, where he was a right-of-way negotiator. Mr. McElwee was preceded in death by his parents, Charles V. McElwee, Jr and Marjorie Ware McElwee of Magnolia and a sister, Judee McElwee Reeves, also of Magnolia. He is survived by his sister Eloise McElwee Fontaine of North Carolina and his brother James Ware McElwee of Magnolia. He is also survived by his daughters, Virginia McElwee Harbour (Kevin) of Tupelo and Vaiden McElwee Taylor (Scott) of Knoxville, Tennessee, and four grandchildren, Charles Whitson Harbour, Yancey Caroline Harbour, Katherine Vaiden Taylor, and Davis McGinley Taylor A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, August 2nd, at Porter Funeral Home, with Rev. Becky Smith officiating. Visitation will be Friday, from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the funeral home.
William Wiley McGee
Died:11/09/2010 Initiation Date:04/02/1967 Initiation Number:#0443 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
MENDENHALL — Services for William Wiley Magee, 67, of Mendenhall, who died Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, will be at 11 a.m. today at First Baptist Church of Mendenhall.
Burial will follow at Mendenhall City Cemetery under the direction of Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Mendenhall.
Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until service time today at the church.
Mr. Wiley, the oldest child of Bill Robert and Luci Ainsworth Magee, was born and raised in the Merit community of Simpson County.
After the death of his parents, he assumed the role of father figure for his four younger siblings.
After graduating from Mendenhall High School in 1961, he attended Hinds County College, the University of Southern Mississippi and the Mississippi College School of Law.
Mr. Magee served as county director of Mississippi Department of Public Welfare in Simpson County and was later elected to five consecutive terms as Circuit Clerk of Simpson County.
He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Mendenhall, serving as an ordained deacon, choir member and Sunday school teacher and was actively involved in the youth group.
Mr. Magee served as a Master Mason with Mendenhall Lodge No. 497, a Shriner and was actively involved in Little People of America. He coached T-Ball and Little League baseball. He served in a number of other capacities in Simpson County.
He was an avid fisherman and hunter, but most importantly, he was a child of God who instilled a relationship with Christ in his family. He was an amazing husband, wonderful daddy and an awesome Poppy to his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Sullivan Magee; one daughter, Lucy Roark and husband, Don; one son, Robert and wife, Aleen; three brothers, Billy Charles, Joe and Paul; one sister, Martha Stubbs; and three grandchildren, Celia Rose Magee, William Sawyer Magee and Avery Grace Roark.
The family requests that memorial donations may be made to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association of America, www.phassociation.org or Mendenhall First Baptist Church Master's Plan Building Fund
Robert Haywood McInvale Jr
Died:05/30/2009 Initiation Date:02/26/1961 Initiation Number:#0278 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
MCINVALE, JR. Brigadier General Robert Haywood McInvale Jr.- a 67 year old native of Mobile, Alabama died Saturday May 30, 2009. He graduated from Murphy High School. Then he attended Southern Mississippi on a tennis scholarship. He was an Army Reserve Officer for more than 30 years, he served on active duty for five years; during which time he served 1 tour in Vietnam and he served in Desert Storm. He has received numerous awards including: Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge , Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster and valor device, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and valor device, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with two silver stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass device, Army Service Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze star devices, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and The Major General Horace B. Hanson Jr. Hall of Fame Minuteman award. His active duty assignments included: Company Commander Headquarters Committee Group, Fort Polk, LA, senior advisor South Vietnam Infantry Battalion and assistant operations officer for the 18th Viet division, South Vietnam. His reserve assignments included: Commander 498th Transportation Company, executive officer 375th Transportation Group Commander 696th Maintenance Battalion, Commander of the 1184th USA Transportation Terminal Unit, and the Deputy Commander of MTMC East. He was also a leading agent with Allstate Insurance Company in Mobile for 25 years, where he was a friend and confidant to coworkers and clients alike. Bobby was an avid outdoorsman, his fishing and hunting skills were second to none. He could always entertain with the stories of his adventures. He is survived by his adoring wife of 45 years, Nancy. He was also a proud father of his children: Leslie and John Addison, Kerry and Frank DeFelippo, Lori and James Martin, Rob and Lori McInvale. He was even prouder POP POP of his 11 grandchildren: John, Molly, Justice, Annie, Mia, Weezie, Ava, Anthony, Virgie, Aiden, and Nancy. He is also survived by his sister and brother in law Suzanne and Wayne Shotts and their children Andy and Blair, as well as his brother in law and his sister in law Jimmy and Janet Williams, his sister in law and brother in law Delores and Larry Mosley, numerous cousins, family and friends. Robert McInvale touched many lives and he will be truly missed, but he will never be forgotten. Funeral services will be held from the Chapel of Pine Crest Funeral Home on Wednesday June 3, 2009 at 10AM. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday June 2, 2009 from 5 until 8PM. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery. An online guestbook may be signed at www.pinecrestfuneral home.com. Arrangements by Pine Crest Funerals and Cremations, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, AL 251-478-5227.
Julian Wilson “JW” McLeod
Died:12/21/2022 Initiation Date:04/24/1966 Initiation Number:#0401 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Julian “JW” McLeod Jr. passed away in his sleep on December 21, 2022. He was born August 14, 1947 in Pascagoula, MS. He was a lifelong resident of Pascagoula and a graduate of Pascagoula High School’s class of 1965. JW graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Minor in Mathematics. He worked many years at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula. JW always had an entrepreneurial spirit and established McLeod Marine with his wife Gail McLeod, and together they ran it for over 30 plus years. He was an excellent bass fisherman and fished many tournaments across the coast before retiring to run his Bass Pro Shop business in Pascagoula.
JW McLeod married his wife, Gail Womble and together they raised 3 girls: Roxanne McLeod, Shara McLeod, and Rachel McLeod McTaggart. JW is preceded in death by his parents, Julian Wilson “Bill” McLeod Sr. and Beverly Taylor McLeod. His wife of many years, Gail Womble McLeod. Father-in-law, Raymond Womble and Mother-in-Law, Marlene Womble; Brother-in-law Mike Foster of Pascagoula Ms; And second wife, Deborah Robinson McLeod of New Albany, MS.
JW is survived by his Children: Roxanne McLeod of Moss Point, MS; Shara McLeod of Mobile, AL; and Rachel (Barry) McLeod McTaggart of Pascagoula, MS.; Sister, Kay (Jim) McLeod Weaver of Lake Wales, FL; Brother, Alan (Ginger) McLeod of New Albany, MS.; Grandsons, Nicholas Poole, Ezra McTaggart, Owen McTaggart, 4 Great Grandchildren, Karie, Annaleigh, Dean, and Caleb. He is also survived by a special friend, Donna Revere and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Wednesday December 28, 2022, from 11:00-12:00noon, at O'Bryant-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula. Funeral Service will begin at 12:00 in the funeral home chapel.
Graveside service to follow at Machpelah Cemetery, Pascagoula, MS. Pallbearers are Barry McTaggart, Nicholas Poole, Alan McLeod, Jim Weaver, David Grafton, and Keith Colter.
You may send condolences to his family on the Tribute Wall or share a memory of JW.
