Archie Maloy Magee, 93, passed away Tuesday, Mar 13, 2018. Visitation will be at Lakewood South Funeral Home, 430 McCluer Rd, Jackson, MS on Friday, March 16, 2018 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday in the funeral home chapel with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at Lakewood South Memorial Park.
He was born in Magee, MS, on March 8, 1925, to Duncan Maloy Magee and Sarah Frances Maddox. After high school, he worked for his sister Lavonne at her café in Magee. He enlisted in 1943 to serve in WWII and was assigned to the Navy Blimps, guarding California’s coast against enemy sea attacks.
After the war, he worked for Lavonne at her grocery store in Mendenhall. When he moved to Jackson to get into the grocery business there, he was hired the next day at A&P. He quickly became a store manager and managed stores around the area for 37 years. He developed relationships with countless customers in the communities he served. He hired and trained hundreds of teenagers in their first jobs. After retiring from A&P, he still worked another 12 years for Kraft Foods.
Also, soon after coming to Jackson, he was talked into going on a blind date with Bernice Love. At first sight he thought, “She’s the one.” They married January 26, 1951. They raised their five children in south Jackson and then built a new home and retired to Brandon in 2001. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage before Bernice’s death March 13, 2017.
Through the years, Archie and Bernice were members of Central, Alta Woods, and Pearl Presbyterian Churches. Archie was a deacon at Central Presbyterian.
Archie and Bernice cherished family gatherings in their home, and Archie always loved shopping for groceries for these meals. He loved gardening. He kept a beautiful yard and always wanted it to look great on Sundays. He and Bernice loved Christmas and all that it meant.
He went to church faithfully and always thanked God from whom all blessings flowed. He worked hard, took care of his family, loved them unconditionally, and gave generously. He loved to travel and looked for opportunities to take his family around the country.
He is preceded in death by his wife, parents and 9 of his siblings. His legacy lives on with his sister Rebecca Magee Sanders, his children, Beverly Magee Mayfield ( Ransom), Stanley Magee, Randy Magee, Sheila Magee Holifield (Allen), Geoffrey Magee, 8 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to French Camp Academy, Palmer Home for Children, or Pearl Presbyterian Hospitality Fund.
Please visit lakewoodfuneralhomes.com for online guestbook.
