Comments on: Mac

By: Steve Edwards

Steve Edwards — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:54:54 +0000

I can’t believe that I am only now hearing of Mac’s passing. I was one of his roomies our freshman year at OBU, along with Alan Pye. I can’t write much right now, as I am in total shock. I feel awful that I had been out of touch for such a long time. I will always recall his wonderful laugh, visiting in his parents’ home in Crossett, and lulling him and Alan to sleep with my all night typing of papers (for hire)–he commented on one occasion when I had stopped typing, that he immediately woke up, and insisted I continue typing—he’d gotten so used to the noise that he helped him sleep! He even commented to me that his children were “sort of” named in reference to his first roomies: me and Alan. Steve(n) Edwards (formerly of Hurst, TX; now a professor in LaGrange, GA)

By: Marcia Ramirez

Marcia Ramirez — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 02:47:22 +0000

What a wonderful tribute to an amazing man! I only learned of Mac’s passing tonight… DeAnna let me know. So sorry I hadn’t heard before now… My prayers are with Donna, Stephanie, and all his loved ones. He was definitely a special, special man!

By: De Anna Briley Cabaniss

De Anna Briley Cabaniss — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 02:01:03 +0000

Donna and Stephanie…i am truly heartbroken to find of Mac’s passing tonight. I love you and you are in my prayers. You all, along with Mac were a great blessing in my life…Mac was such a great coach and mentor as I had the honor of being Miss OBU and first-runner-up to Miss Arkansas in 1983…Mac always lifted me up in prayer, encouraged me and helped me be the best I could be in every phase of competition. Your home was shared with me on many occasions and many dinners as we fellowshipped and prepared…your friendships will always remain in my heart. Mac didn’t just talk the talk …he truly walked the walk and I know Heaven is soooooo much richer because Precious Mac Sisson is now a resident. I know he has many rewards that he is partaking in as he loved everyone no matter who they were or what they possessed…what a wonderful Husband, Father and Friend…He will be missed greatly.

By: Samuel Stricklin

Samuel Stricklin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:52:51 +0000

Being a part of the communications department and serving for two years as editor of the Signal it was a joy and honor to have a person like Mac Sisson as an invaluable ally. Am so sorry to hear of his death.

By: Bob Black-Ocken

Bob Black-Ocken — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:38:05 +0000

My brother’s and I have so many great memories of Mac. This was a great way to remember the man we all knew and loved. Thank Rex!

By: Mitch Bettis

Mitch Bettis — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:23:46 +0000

Thanks, Rex. This was terrific.

By: Ray Brookings

Ray Brookings — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:30:19 +0000

I grew up with Mac in Crossett. He was a great man with that large laugh. It is odd that I thought of him not too long ago. The mark of a good man is how many lives he touched while he was here.
Thanks for the stories about Mac. He will be missed by many people.

By: Bill Vining Jr.

Bill Vining Jr. — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:17:04 +0000

Mac was fun and dedicated to his Job, Lord and Savior, and family. What more can you ask. He will be missed.

By: Charlie Fuller

Charlie Fuller — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:35:43 +0000

Thanks to all for the wonderful stories and memories and such a wonderful professional and friend. I didn’t know Mac the way you guys did, but I worked for many years in the same building. As a music professor, it was a nightly occurrence to work late after a recital and it was also pretty normal for me to come in early in the morning. Mac’s old car was almost always there when I left late at night and there when I returned the next morning. Nobody in my entire life had the work ethic of Mac. And we all remember when he finally got rid of that old orange/brown car!

Rex, thanks for doing such a great job at the service today! And, yes, the White Pig Inn is not in any way a chain restaurant!

By: Susan Coppenger Akin

Susan Coppenger Akin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:08:18 +0000

Mac was always interested, always friendly, and pretty much always loud. When mother (Agnes Coppenger) was serving as Alumni and Placement Secretary she loved sharing Mac, Bill Downs and John Slaughter (the Print Shop guy) stories and comments. She loved mixing it up with those three in Flenniken Memorial. She was the fiesty, gray-headed mother figure trying to make them all behave and be nice. “Forget about that!”

Mac’s smile, hug and memory for family names and events made me think I was his favorite. Dadgum! Now I see he was that way with everybody.

Mary “Queen” King keeps us updated on news from Ouachita Hills and FBC, Arkadelphia. She reported that Mac was ushering and taking the offering, as usual, at First Baptist last Sunday. Well done, Mac! Faithful to the end. I’m sure Mother is so proud of you.

And Donna has been a thoughtful and sensitive friend through the years. How we’ve appreciated her gentle spirit, humor, advice and handwritten notes at the bottom of each notice of OBU memorials for Mother, Anne and now Daddy.

Dear Donna & Stephanie,
We love your family. We love what you’ve meant and continue to mean to our family. We’re holding you in our hearts. We do not grieve as those without hope!