Jackie Roy McCracken, 62, a native of Selma, AL, and a resident of Mobile, AL, for 33 years passed away January 1, 2010. Jackie was born April 19, 1947 to the union of LeRoy and Ruviel McCracken. He graduated with honors from R.B. Hudson High School, class of 1965. During his senior year, Jackie was an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement of Selma, receiving an award for his work as a "foot soldier" for the movement. Following graduation from high school, he enrolled in Tuskegee Institute where he attained the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Architecture. Jackie was licensed as an architect by the State of Alabama as well as being certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.
Jackie designed many churches in Mobile and throughout Alabama, including Truevine Missionary Baptist Church, which was featured in Design Cost & Data magazine. He also designed Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Selma, AL, and an addition to Macedonia Missionary Baptist church in Daphne, AL.. Some of his other projects included an addition to the Chickasaw City Hall building, medical offices, and homes in Mobile, Tuskegee, and Selma. Jackie also worked and retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1997. Jackie was a talented architect. He was a faithful member of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd where he served as a chalice bearer, lay reader, Bible Study leader and a member of the Vestry. Jackie was always available to serve his church. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., The American Institute of Architects, and served as the president of the Mobile-Tuskegee Club. Jackie has served on the boards of The Murray House, Architectural Review, The Mobile Museum, and Wilmer Hall.. He served as chairman of the Black Heritage Council of the Alabama Historical Commission receiving a Special Meritorious Service Award.
Jackie was a loving husband and father and will be missed by many. He was preceded in death by his father LeRoy McCracken. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 41 years, Marcella R. McCracken; children - Tracy McCracken, Baltimore, MD; Adrian (Eddie) Peterson, Hurst, TX; Gordon McCracken, Atlanta, GA; and Nancy McCracken, Vestavia Hills, AL; grandchildren - Maura Cherry and India Cherry, Ft. Washington, MD; Dana Peterson and Aiden Peterson, Hurst, TX; mother, Ruviel McCracken; brother, Ernest McCracken, Central Islip, NY; sister, Barbara (Abraham) Hunter, Wyandanch, NY; father-in-law, Gordon (Kim) Roberts Jr., Orange, NJ; sisters-in-law, Sharon Bagley and Sharice Bagley, Orange, NJ; brother-in-law Gordon Robert Roberts, Orange, NJ; a host of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Capital Improvement Fund. Dignified and professional services entrusted to Small's Mortuary, 950 S. Broad Street, Mobile, AL.
(Visitation was held on Saturday, January 9, 2010, at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd,
605 Donald Street, Mobile, AL 36617.)
(Notice taken from Mobile Press-Register)
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Howard L. Calhoun of Macon, Georgia, an architectural major and alumus of the 1965 graduating class of Tuskegee University, made his transition on April 26, 2001. Mr. Calhoun was layed to rest on Tuesday, May 1, 2001. Mr. Calhoun was principal and president of H.L. Calhoun Architectural Practice, a member of the American Institute of Architects, Adopt-A-Role Model Program, the 1895 Society, and the Design Review Board. He was a member, deacon, and trustee of the Swift Creek Baptist Church. His memory will be long lasting as he leaves behind a loving wife and four children.
To the family, many friends and associates of Howard L. Calhoun, TACAA offers this poem of sympathy:
SOMEWHERE THERE IS A LIFE ETERNAL,
SOMEWHERE THERE IS A HOME, ABOVE.
THERE IS NO NIGHT WITHOUT A DAWNING,
BEYOND THIS DEATH IS GOD AND LOVE.
Goodbye, Howard L. Calhoun, TACAA salutes you and your architectural achievements...
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Vinson McKenzie, 50, scholar who studied the impact of black architects on U.S. society
Stephania H. Davis
Staff, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Friday, May 12, 2000
Vinson McKenzie's calm, quiet demeanor hid a passion for the architectural talents and contributions of black architects. "He was almost shy until you got to talking about his heart, which was the contribution of his people to the buildings and designs we take for granted," said Ariel Williams of Decatur, who worked with Mr. McKenzie in 1994 when his exhibition "African-American Architects and Builders" was at Soapstone Center for the Arts. "I saw him hold 150 people spellbound for two hours in a stuffy room talking about black architects. When he was talking about his heart, he was captivating and very charismatic."
The funeral for Vinson Edward McKenzie, 50, of Atlanta, who died May 5 at Grady Memorial Hospital of a malfunctioning heart valve, is 2 p.m. today at Calvary Temple Baptist Church. Sellers Bros. is in charge of arrangements.
A native of Ashburn reared in Pompano Beach, Fla., Mr. McKenzie found his calling while he was the architectural librarian at Tuskegee University in Alabama In a 1994 Journal-Constitution article about his exhibit, he said he had overheard a student sayblack people had made no contributions to American architecture. "I rushed right up and told him that they have, in fact, madewonderful contributions to the field," Mr. McKenzie said. "But then I thought, 'If this smart young man could have that idea,others must think that way also.' "From that point on it was like a thorn he had to get out," said a sister, Velma Nelson ofCoconut Creek, Fla.
Mr. McKenzie held a bachelor's degree in history from Albany State College and a master's degree in library science fromAtlanta University and had worked as an architectural librarian at Auburn University in Alabama. All his knowledge andexperience were brought to bear on "African-American Architects and Builders." He took the show across the country,including displays at Yale University, Hampton University and Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.
Part of the exhibit was featured during the 1996 Olympics in "Praising the Bridges That Carried Us Over: A Showcase of 18 African-American Artists." The exhibit of Mr. McKenzie's handmade houses included a replica of Elvis Presley's birthplaceand shotgun houses, a design that came from West Africa.
In 1994, Mr. McKenzie left Auburn to focus on his art. His drawings and models, which ranged from small bookcase figurinesto full-scale doll houses, are sold throughout Georgia. He ran the African-American Institute of Architectural History and washistorian of the National Organization of Minority Architects."I've been three things in my life: an artist, architect and librarian,"he said in a 1996 Journal-Constitution article. "I've been able to do almost everything I've wanted to do."
Survivors other than his sister include his mother, Inez Adams of Pompano Beach; another sister, Veronica DeShazer of Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.; and a brother, Van C. Adams of New Haven, Conn.
