Joseph Bernard Mackey was a Korean War era veteran honorably serving in the United States Air Force. He died October 19, 2011 of renal failure after a long illness. He was 79.

Mackey was born on December 15, 1931 in Philadelphia, to the late Edward B. and Pauline Mackey. He and family members were parishioners of St. Ignatius of Loyola Roman Catholic Church at 43rd and Wallace streets.

He worked as a physical therapist at Abington Memorial and Episcopal Hospitals.

He moved to California and worked in civil service as a logistician until retirement.

Mackey is survived by: daughter, Yuki; three grandchildren, Miles, Samantha and Kinuko; three brothers, Edward, Johnnie (Annie) and Alvin (Jacqueline); nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Pauline and a brother, Richard.

A memorial Mass was held Oct. 23 at St. Ignatius of Loyola. A private interment will be scheduled at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon.

Rev. Elouise Delores Williams had been an ordained minister since 1965. She went on to join the original Nation of Islam in 1973, and later joined New Hope Baptist Church in 1986.

In Philadelphia, she was the founder of Women Infiltrators Against Poverty and was involved with P.U.S.H., N.A.A.C.P. and various other community-related organizations.

She died on January 18, at the Deborah Heart Lung Hospital in Brownsmills, N.J. She was 81.

Williams was born in Tampa, Fla., to Hattie Gasque Williams and Ralph Williams Sr.

She attended the local public schools and relocated to Conway, S.C., where she graduated from high school before moving to Tennessee for college. She later moved to Springfield, Mass., and then to Philadelphia and finally residing in Pleasantville, N.J., in 1972.

A close friend of the late broadcaster Georgie Woods, she was a member of New Hope Baptist Church where she worked with her family as a community advocate for the sick and shut-in and took food and aid to the needy.

Williams is survived by children, Deborah Bailey, Cheryse Page and Kelvin Wimbish (Karla); five sisters, Dollie Beaty, Cecilia Bennett, Jackie Johnson, Pricilla Scruggs and Betty Williams of New York; three brothers, Ralph Jr.(Lillian) and Jacob Davis, and Ralph Jr. #2 (Barbara); 10 grandchildren, David, Jonathan, Shannon, Sharifah, Hakeem, Shahied, Jameelah, Michael, Victor and Rasheed; 12 great-grandchildren; godchildren, Angela Curtia and Dara Teng; and a host of other loved ones and special friends.

Williams was preceded in death by her parents and two daughters, Garnette Denise and Michelle Doreen Wimbish.

Services will be held January 24, at New Hope Baptist Church, 704 Lexington Ave. The viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The service will start at 11.

Mikals Funeral Parlor handled the arrangements.

Frances Evelyn Mumford Talley was known to her family as Aunt Frances, to her church family as Mother or Mom Mumford, Sister and Miss Mumford, and to her close friends simply as Frances. Talley died November 21. She was 87.

Talley was born to Mary E. and John Mumford in Snow Hill, Md., on Aug. 18, 1924. She moved to Philadelphia as a young woman where she met and married Billie Talley for a short time.

Her work as an elevator operator where she retired from John Wanamaker’s in Philadelphia gave her access to the latest upscale fashions that those in her life became accustomed to seeing her in for more than 50 years.

As the monarch of five generations, she was a role model for the women in the family and was a teacher for the men, as well.

Talley lived a very active life and was an ideal friend. She loved and supported both of her home churches and communities. As a member of Tindley Temple for 72 years, she encouraged young people to do well in college and throughout their lives and gave them a “little piece of money” to help them on their way.

Her generosity toward several church and community committees and ministries at Tindley Temple included United Methodist Women Class of 1951, Hostess and Membership Committees, Staff Parish Relations, Flower Committee, and the Soup Kitchen for the Homeless.

She was avidly committed to volunteering for and being a philanthropist to the Methodist Hospital, various women’s causes women, Special Olympics, Shriners Hospital, Easter Seals, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen, as well as being active in different social groups and activities at her apartment complex. She attended poetry readings, played Pokeno, and visited the local farmers market for fresh produce on a weekly basis with her friends, including her special neighbor, Thelma.

Her family said she was more than an aunt. She was sister, girlfriend, trusted friend and mother to many, and her personality was simply precious.

While not having birthed children of her own, she had three special children she watched grow into adults. They were Stephanie (Seamon) Childs, Michael Seamon and Reginald “Reggie” Seamon,

Talley was a person one always had a good time with no matter where she was. Her infectious laugh and beautiful smile went along with her humorous side and lit any room she entered. She was always joking around and had a little one-liner to say.

Talley leaves to mourn: many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Services will be held Nov. 28 at Tindley Temple United Methodist, 750 South Broad St. The viewing will be at 9 a.m. The service will start at 11. Carl Miller Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

John Jay was best described as a loving, caring and devoted family man with an incredible sense of humor. He enjoyed telling stories, being the family driving instructor, listening to gospel music and being the “Barbecue Grill Master.”

The former SEPTA bus driver died on February 3. He was 76.

Jay was born on January 4, 1936 to John and Ethel Jay in Philadelphia. He was educated in the Philadelphia Public School District and graduated from Northeast High School for Boys. As a young man, he worked at Strict Trailer Co. for 20 years and Trail Mobile Co. as a truck driver and trailer jockey. He then became a bus driver for SEPTA and retired in 1998.

In 1973, Jay married Jean Mosley. Through that union, they created a happy, blended family of 10 children.

Jay accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and became a member of New Tabernacle Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Norman Henderson.

Jay leaves to mourn: wife, Jean Jay; four sons, John Steven, William, Kenneth and Kevin; three daughters, Deborah, Theresa and Donnie-Michelle; three sisters, Hattie, Margaret and Barbara; brother, Richard; sister-in-law, Teresa; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by three of his children, Michael, Teresa and Maurice.

Services will be held Feb. 9 at New Tabernacle Baptist Church, 5717 Baynton St. The viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The service will start at 11 a.m. Beckett-Brown and Hodges Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Edith M. McCray, nicknamed “Pee Wee” by family and friends, was a very outspoken and outgoing person, making friends in all of her varied activities.

In an effort to maintain physical fitness, she utilized walking track facilities throughout the city, frequently at La Salle University, often being the first to arrive. Following an extended period of disability due to stroke, she died on Nov. 8. She was 82.

McCray was born on Jan. 16, 1929, in Philadelphia, the second child of the late Ethel and Temp Patten.

For many years she resided in the West Oak Lane section of the city. She was very active with the 1800 Roselyn Street Block Association.

McCray was educated in the Philadelphia Public School District. She graduated from the William Penn High School. Prior to her illness, she participated annually in the William Penn Alumni Association Luncheon.

After a whirlwind courtship, she married Foy Eugene McCray, on August 16, 1947. To this union was born one son, Bryant. She was an opinionated, no-nonsense, yet warm and loving mother.

Because of her adventurous and outgoing personality, McCray participated in a variety of activities and careers. She modeled in fashion shows throughout the Philadelphia area. She was always meticulous in her dress, often having garments tailored to fit.

One of her first positions of employment was with Campbell Soup Company. Seizing an opportunity for advancement, she moved to Sears-Roebuck & Company. 

After several years, she began working for the Free Library of Philadelphia, serving in several departments. Her fondest memories were of her times in the Children’s Department, at the Central Library on the Parkway.

Following her retirement from the position of library assistant, she participated in activities at several Senior Citizen Centers. She enjoyed travel to Atlantic City, dude ranches and various cruising destinations. She could and would play Scrabble at a moment’s notice, often beating the computer.

McCray leaves to mourn: son, Bryant; brothers, Robert Patten (Gail) and Johnny Patten (Wylene); sister-in-law, Dolly Terry; brother-in-law, Thomas J. McCray; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

McCray was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Woods.

Services were held Nov. 12 at Walter E. Sabbath Jr. Funeral Service, 7224 Ogontz Ave.

LuDecie Herrington was an active member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. She was the past president of the Progressive Club Scholarship fund for higher education. She was also a member of the No. 2 Usher Board and an honorary member of the No. 1 Usher Board. She had many other affiliations within the church. She died Dec. 5.

Herrington was born on July 3, 1944, to A.C. and Rosetta Jones in Selma, Alabama. She was the oldest of 10 children.

She was educated in the Selma Public School District. She was married to Lawrence W. Herrington Jr.

Her family said that her love for her children caused her to open a daycare center where she worked until her health started failing. Many of her former daycare babies came back to visit her as adults.

Herrington also had a concern for others more than herself. Her willingness and dedication to others helped shape her life.

Herrington is survived by: two children, Master Sgt. Sammy Jones (Terrea) and Gloria Bevins (Arthur); three grandchildren, Donte Jones, Sammy Jones Jr. and Vaughn Evans; four brothers, Johnny Jones, Roosevelt Jones, Lorenzo Jones and David Jones; four sisters, Rosetta Mitchell, Julia Towles, Geraldine Faulks and Carolyn Jones; brother-in-law, Robert Faulks and nephew, Julius Walker.

Services were held Dec. 10 at Oak Grove Baptist Church. Turay Memorial Chapel handled the arrangements.