Jacqueline L Mack

Jacqueline was born on September 13, 1939 in Amarillo, TX to the parents of Jack Louis Caldwell (California) and Marjean Roddy (Amarillo). At the age of 2, due to her mother wanting what was best for her baby girl, Jacqueline went to live with her maternal grandparents, Herman S. and Minnie Mae Matthews also in Amarillo. She would remain in their care and custody until adulthood. While living with her grandparents, Jacqueline became a member of the Carter Chapel C.M.E Church where she would confess her faith in Christ at an early age. Jacqueline remained a member of Carter Chapel C.M.E Church for many, many years while being active in several church auxiliaries and training up her own children there as well. Jacqueline was educated in the Amarillo Independent School District. She graduated from the historically black Carver High School in 1958. During her time in high school, she was a majorette for Carver’s Drill Team and briefly played alto saxophone in the jazz band. After high school, at her grandmother’s suggestion, Jacqueline enrolled into Amarillo College’s School of Nursing and graduated as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 1960. Nursing instantly became one of her life-long passions. She loved being a nurse, and it showed in her exceptional work ethic and the joy she received in caring for others.

She met her husband, Milton Mack (New Orleans), in 1961. The two joined in holy matrimony on January 28, 1962 after only a few short months of dating. They truly became the love of each other’s lives. They were married for fifteen years and during that time they welcomed four children: Tammie Minnette, Marion Jean, Jacqueline Mishon, and Michael Milton. Their love story came to an unexpected end when Milton passed away in 1977. After his death, Jacqueline decided to not remarry and chose to pour her life and love into her children, her family and friends, and her nursing career. She was always a well-respected, highly regarded nurse in Amarillo and in the African-American community specifically, given the smaller number of black professionals in the Panhandle during the first half of her career. Jacqueline retired from nursing in 1998, but remained active in community and church until her health declined in later years. She welcomed her granddaughter into the world in 2004 and her grandson 10 years later in 2014. Her grandkids were truly the apple of her eye. She wanted everybody she knew to fall in love with them just as much as she had. Jacqueline loved life, laughter, and spending as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren. She was warm, approachable, and always wore a smile. Jacqueline passed away Friday, December 2, 2016 at Legacy Rehabilitation Center in Amarillo, TX where she was beloved by staff and residents alike. Her daughter, Marion, was at her side.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents/guardians, Herman S. and Minnie Mae Matthews; parents, Jack L. Caldwell and Marjean Roddy; husband, Milton Mack; brother, Roddy O. Caldwell; and oldest daughter, Tammie M. Mack.

She leaves to cherish her memory daughters, Marion J. Mack and J. Mishon Mack of Amarillo; son, Michael M. Mack (Angela) of Ft. Worth; brother, Herman S. Caldwell (Phyllis) of Wichita Falls; grandchildren, Zoya Z. Mack (Marion) and Noah M. Mack (Michael), and a host of extended/adopted family, friends, and loved ones.

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