Obituary for Betty Ann McKenzie (McMahan)
Betty Ann McMahan McKenzie, age 87, passed away in her sleep, Monday, May 3, 2021, at her home in Knoxville, TN. Betty or “Kenzie” as she was affectionately known, was born December 29, 1933, in Chattanooga, TN to the late Paul and Ann McMahan. She was also predeceased by her brothers Paul and Harold McMahan. Betty was a member of Central Bearden of Knoxville and a former member of First Baptist Church of Athens.
Betty and her family moved to Athens TN her freshman year in high school in 1947 where she soon met her future husband, John C. McKenzie. She joined First Baptist Church that year and was an active member in many church activities including Sunday school and choir. After graduating from McMinn County High School in 1950 she attended Tennessee Wesleyan College before transferring to and graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1954. She and John married in 1954 and moved away to pursue John’s medical degree and subsequent training. They returned to Athens in 1965 where they remained until 2013. Betty was a devoted wife and mother who loved her family well.
Betty is survived by her loving husband, Dr. John, as well as her children – Wade (Mary Eleanor) McKenzie of Nashville, TN, Dave (Amy) McKenzie of Huntsville, AL, LeAnne (Stuart) Fowler of Huntsville, AL,and Sheryl Duley of Knoxville, TN, and eleven grandchildren – Rachael (Michael) Nusbaum ,Ann Randolph McKenzie, Megan (Larry) Miller, John David McKenzie, Mitchell McKenzie, Jennifer Fowler, Sarah Fowler, Ben Fowler, Logan Duley, Madison Duley, and Kaitlyn Duley as well as two precious great grandchildren – Callie and Landon Miller. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Joyce McMahan of Chattanooga and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
A visitation will be held Thursday, May 6, from 12:30pm to 2:00pm in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Athens, with a service to follow at 2:30pm, Rev. Mark Moreland officiating. Masks are recommended but not required. A grave site service will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Betty and her family moved to Athens TN her freshman year in high school in 1947 where she soon met her future husband, John C. McKenzie. She joined First Baptist Church that year and was an active member in many church activities including Sunday school and choir. After graduating from McMinn County High School in 1950 she attended Tennessee Wesleyan College before transferring to and graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1954. She and John married in 1954 and moved away to pursue John’s medical degree and subsequent training. They returned to Athens in 1965 where they remained until 2013. Betty was a devoted wife and mother who loved her family well.
Betty is survived by her loving husband, Dr. John, as well as her children – Wade (Mary Eleanor) McKenzie of Nashville, TN, Dave (Amy) McKenzie of Huntsville, AL, LeAnne (Stuart) Fowler of Huntsville, AL,and Sheryl Duley of Knoxville, TN, and eleven grandchildren – Rachael (Michael) Nusbaum ,Ann Randolph McKenzie, Megan (Larry) Miller, John David McKenzie, Mitchell McKenzie, Jennifer Fowler, Sarah Fowler, Ben Fowler, Logan Duley, Madison Duley, and Kaitlyn Duley as well as two precious great grandchildren – Callie and Landon Miller. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Joyce McMahan of Chattanooga and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
A visitation will be held Thursday, May 6, from 12:30pm to 2:00pm in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Athens, with a service to follow at 2:30pm, Rev. Mark Moreland officiating. Masks are recommended but not required. A grave site service will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.