Christopher Keith Machen

Christopher Keith Machen was born on November 22, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama. He was the youngest of 6 children and was often referred to as the baby by his family. Chris graduated from Raytown South High School in Raytown, Kansas and attended Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri where he played baseball. Chris was athletic, handsome, and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, with God and family being the most important.

Chris met the love of his life and future wife, Johanna Siefner Machen, while in college. She attended the all girl’s Williams Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, and they were married on April 27, 1979 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kansas. They began their life together in Overland Park, Kansas and eventually moved to Mobile, Alabama where they lovingly raised their four children.

Chris was a resident of Mobile, Alabama for 36 years. He was a longtime member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and a current member of Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus of Mobile. Chris was a retired stockbroker and spent the last 9 years working as a Services Manager across the south east with Home Depot.

Chris was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and granddaddy. He had a servant’s heart and a steadfast love for his Creator. He was a man of a few words, but the love he had for his family was undeniable. His children and grandchildren were his life’s greatest blessings, and he gave them all confidence to chase their dreams by being their biggest fan. As an avid sports’ enthusiast and Alabama football fan, he had a remarkable ability to provide past and live stats for all of his favorite players and teams, namely those he was most proud of from his four children. He was strong-willed, with a memorable sense of humor.

Chris is preceded in death by his parents Joseph W. Machen and Maxine Machen of Saucier, Mississippi, and his brother Michael Machen of Gulfport, Mississippi.

He is survived in death by his beloved wife, Johanna Siefner Machen of Mobile, Alabama, as well as his four loving children: Michael Machen (Sarah Machen), Bryan Machen (Claire Machen), Sarah Sears (David Sears), and Brett Machen (Dr. Kelsie Dodson); brothers Joseph W. Machen, II (Carol), Timothy Machen (Dottie), Steven Machen; and sister Madeline Lord (the late David Lord). Chris was the proud grandfather to seven beautiful grandchildren: Jacob, Luke and Micah Machen, Hadley and Hudson Machen, Henry and Mack Sears.

Chris loved his family more than anything in this world, and he will leave them with memories filled with laughter and happiness. Our hearts are hurting, but we are hopeful that we will see him again.

Please join Chris’s family as they celebrate his life at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday, December 5, 2020. Services will be held at Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at 2 S Claiborne St, Mobile, Alabama 36602. Visitation is at 10:00 am with funeral services and mass to follow at 11:00 am. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the St. Jude Foundation in Chris’ memory.

https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/GiftFunds/GiftFunds?px=6873996&pg=personal&fr_id=39300