Arthur B. (A.B.) Mackey of Oviedo, Florida, formerly of Hot Springs, Virginia, passed away Thursday, January 31, 2019.

He was the son of the late Arthur and Sallie Mackey of Hot Springs, Virginia.

He was married for 53 years to the love of his life and best friend, Joan Jennings Mackey.

After living all of his life in Bath County, A. B. and Joan moved to Florida in July of 2018. He missed his friends, especially his Thursday morning breakfast group; however, he loved being in the warm weather of Florida.

After graduation from high school, he attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute, served in the United States Air Force and graduated from Capitol Institute of Technology.

He was retired from the United States Forest Service as a communication officer and from Bath County School system as the Maintenance Director.

He was a lifelong member of Healing Springs Baptist Church, where he served as a trustee.

After his retirement he enjoyed working in his flower gardens, helping with projects at the Healing Springs Baptist church and helping others in need. He was an active member of Millboro Masonic Lodge #28 and in May of 2018 he was presented with his sixty-year pin. During his years as a Mason he served as Master of Hot Springs Masonic Lodge and Valley Springs Masonic Lodge.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Gordon Jennings and Larry Jennings.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son and daughter–in–law, Kenneth and Holly Mackey; precious granddaughter, Morgan Mackey, who loved to ride in her Granddaddy's roller walker with him pushing her; a niece, Mary Beth Matlock (Bryon) of Nickelsville, Virginia; nephews, Jeff Jennings (Tutti) of Gate City, Virginia, Chad Jennings (Susanne) of Houston, Texas and Reverend Todd Jennings (Amanda) of Mt. Carmel, Tennessee; three sisters-in-law, Kaye Jennings of Kingsport, Tennessee, Janice Jennings of Yuma, Virginia and Velma Vicars of Gate City, Virginia; and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends Wednesday February 6, 2019 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Healing Springs Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Virginia. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Tom Stanley officiating.

On February 8, 2019 there will be a visitation from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Gate City Funeral Home with a service following with Reverend Todd Jennings officiating. Interment will be at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Kingsport, Tennessee on Saturday February 9 at 11:00 a.m. with Military rites. Pallbearers will be Jeff Jennings, Justin Castle, Wil Jennings, John Matlock, and Bryon Matlock.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Healing Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, 4697 Sam Snead Highway, Hot Springs, Virginia 24445.

The McLaughlin & Young Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.