Charles McKenzie
Charles Edward McKenzie died suddenly on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
He was a loving husband, father, “adoptive grandfather”, mentor, devoted uncle and retired educator. A native of Chattanooga, he was the son of the late Carl and Judie Hughes McKenzie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
He was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, class of 1956. He earned a bachelor of science degree at Tennessee State University, class of 1960 and earned a master’s degree in administration and supervision, Tennessee State University in 1974. His professional career spanned 30 years as an elementary school teacher, special education teacher, vocational counselor and educational supervisor.
His affiliations include Life Member/Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; NEA/TEA/CHCRTA; Tennessee State Alumni Association; Life Member/NAACP; Washington Hills Neighborhood Association; and Second Missionary Baptist Church. For dedicated service, he received many recognitions from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; the Finance Committee, Men’s Fellowship and Adult Choir of Second Missionary Baptist Church; Tennessee State Alumni Association; and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority African-American Hall of Fame.
His survivors include his devoted wife of 51 years, Mattie F. McKenzie; adoring daughter, Carol A. McKenzie; sisters, Betty Massengill, Ruth Armour and Mary Evelyn Lewis; brothers-in-law, William Hurt, Jr. and Henry E. Fosters; nephews, Billy Harold McKenzie, Ronald, Andra and Anthony Taylor, James, Alvin and William Massengill, William McClesky and Freddie Armour; Eric Lewis; Tony, Vincent, and Stanley McKenzie; and William Hurt III; nieces, Janice King, Carlette McKenzie, Sharon Scaife and Michelle Hurt; “adopted kids”, John Nolan, Terrell and Jermaine Borders; other members of the family include, Ronald Taylor, Jr., Shavonne Holt, Terry McKenzie, Barbara Shepard, Evelyn Shropshire; Jewell Cousin, Christine and Grady Hicks, Fred and Cheryl McCray, Ed and Atheria Freeman; Audra Ingram, Mary Jo Gilbert, Gary and Terryl James, The Second Missionary Baptist church family, the medical staff, associates, volunteers and fellow patients at Life Care Center of Hixson.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 28, at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 2305 East Third Street, Chattanooga, Tn. 37404, with the Reverend Dr. Ernest L. Reid, officiating and Reverend Dr. Paul A. McDaniel as eulogist. Interment will be in Hamilton Memorial Garden.
The body will lie in state after noon on Wednesday, April 27. The Omega service will begin at 6 p.m. and is open to family and friends. Immediately following the Omega service, the family will receive friends from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.