Dr. Mack Bernard Morant

Dr. Mack Bernard Morant, 78, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2025, after a prolonged illness. Born on October 15, 1946, in Holly Hill, South Carolina, to the late Mack and Jannie Morant, he was affectionately known as Bernard to his family, friends, and village. As the eldest of seven siblings, he took on the role of mentor and educator, teaching his younger siblings to read, write, and count which ignited his lifelong passion for teaching and leadership.

At a young age, Mack joined Greater Target AME Church in Holly Hill, SC, and accepted Christ as his savior. A proud graduate of Holly Hill’s public school system, Mack graduated from Roberts High School in 1964. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Voorhees College in 1968. Mack later earned both a Master of Education and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Mack’s career was marked by dedication to education and public service. He began teaching English and Social Studies in grades 6 through 12 in Calhoun and Orangeburg counties. His leadership abilities led him to serve as Deputy Director of the Dillon-Marion Human Resources Commission and later as Director of the South Carolina State University Small Business Development Center. In 1985, Mack moved to Virginia to become Director of Career Planning and Placement at Virginia State University, where he also taught Introduction to Business. His academic career continued at Augusta State University in Georgia as an Assistant Professor, and he later returned to Voorhees University as Director of Student Support Services. In his later years, Mack taught as an Adjunct Professor at Claflin University and Springfield College, impacting the lives of many students.

Outside of education, Mack was a member of the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia and the Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity, a professional fraternity for business administration. Mack was a gifted artist, musician, and athlete. He was a self-taught harmonica and guitar player. He also loved tennis and was an abstract artist. With an entrepreneurial spirit, he started a backyard barber shop as a young man and later founded an investment club for family and friends—F&M Investments Network. Mack enjoyed collecting baseball cards, stamps, rare coins, and African art.

One of Mack's proudest achievements was the publication of his groundbreaking book, African Americans on Stamps, the first and only comprehensive reference work recognizing African Americans featured on U.S. and international stamps. He also founded R&M Publishing Co., Inc. in 1977, through which he published his poetry collection, Lines for the Mind. Mack often said, “Self-production is the best production,” reflecting his belief in the power of independence.

Mack was preceded in death by his sisters Jeanette Morant and Virge Lee James, and his brother Joseph Morant, Sr. He is survived by his only beloved child, Jeanette Nicole Morant of Augusta, GA; his brother Percy (Maxine) Morant of Columbia, SC; his sisters Dr. Gloria (Irby) James of Holly Hill, SC, and Sharron (Daniel) Garland of Summerville, SC; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a special friend. All who knew him will cherish his memory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Mack Bernard Morant, please visit our floral store.