TULA, Okla. — Jacqueline Phipps MacLaughlin, 90, died Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in Tulsa, Okla., where she had gone to be near family.

Jackie was born in Louisiana, but spent most of her youth in Natchez, a place she remembered fondly all of her life for the family and friends who remained there. She had celebrated her 90th birthday on March 2, 2017.
During World War II, a young man, Harry Miller MacLaughlin was drafted into the army and dispatched from his native Chester, Pa., to Natchez to await his departure to the European theater.

“Yankee Mac” as he was inevitably know in the South, was a fine lad: smart, handsome, never met a stranger and very well liked, most especially by Jackie.

They were married in Natchez in the First Presbyterian Church and entered a life together in which the Presbyterian Church played an important role.
Jackie became an excellent homemaker for the two of them. She proved to be exceptional at not only homemaking, but at any artistic endeavor she chose. An insatiable reader and a student of many crafts. She left behind gifts to be treasured by family and friends including paintings, stained glass works, knit garments, crocheted items, and exquisite quilts, as well as leaving a treasure of recipes she collected and often altered with her own special touch.
Together Jackie and Mac made every place they lived a little better with their enthusiasm for volunteering. Their mantra was “How can we help?” As Mac had worked his way up through the Postal Service, becoming a United States Postal Inspector, they were gifted with living in several very interesting places.

Having added to their family Harry Miller MacLaughlin, Jr. (Skip) and Janet Lee MacLaughlin, the four of them became adept at packing, moving, and making friends in Sioux City, Iowa, Brinkley, Ark., and Florissant, Mo.  After retirement, Jackie and Mac settled in Rogers, Arkansas where they built their retirement home on Beaver lake. There in Rogers, they became well-known for serving Meals on Wheels, at Horse’s for Healing, and at anything needed at the First Presbyterian Church.
Jackie was preceded in death by her beloved Mac, who passed away in August of 2006. Survivors include her sister, Eda Montgomery and husband Joe of Georgetown, Tx.; son, Harry Miller MacLaughlin (Skip) and wife Kay of Blackburn, Mo.; daughter, Janet Craig of Tulsa, Okla.; grandsons Todd Craig and wife, Stephenie of Tulsa, Okla., and Nathan Craig and wife Heather of Austin, Tx.; Lance MacLaughlin and wife Teri of Jefferson City, Mo.; Brad MacLaughlin and wife Betsy of Independence, Mo.; as well as five great-grandsons and 2 great-granddaughters.

Memorial gifts may be made to Horses for Healing, 14673 Daniels Road, Bentonville, AR, 72712, or to the First Presbyterian Church, Rogers, AR, 1901 South 26th St, Rogers, AR, www.garykelleyfunerals.com.