Remembering Carl Wyatt McKenzie

McKenzie met the love of his life, Helen, through her sister’s boyfriend, Dent, during a trip to the movies. When he asked who Dent had brought with him, he was introduced to Helen. McKenzie first asked if he could sit beside her, and she told him no. After a while, he asked again, and this time she said yes. He later told her she was “the prettiest girl he had ever laid eyes on,” and from that moment on, the rest was history. Carl and Helen were married on July 19, 1959, and shared 66 wonderful years together.

McKenzie worked faithfully for Westinghouse for 38 years. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and talented woodworker who loved creating special projects for his children and grandchildren. McKenzie was never one to sit still for long. He was always working with his hands, improving the world around him, especially the home and family he loved so dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Beatrice McKenzie; his sisters, Lurleen Cooper, Lorene Morgan, and Wilodean Pate; and his brothers, Harold, Clovis, Clyde D., Cecil, and Charles McKenzie.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Helen McKenzie; his sister, Shirley Ward of Meridian; his son, Steve McKenzie of Brandon (Tammye); his daughters, Dawn McKenzie of Brandon and Amy Grant of Clinton (Wade); his grandchildren, Brittany Lacey of Brandon (Josh), Whittney Krebs of Pelahatchie (Jarod), Benjamin Street of Canton (Eimy), Destin Grant of Clinton, Wyatt Street of Canton (Kaitlyn), and Haley Grant of Clinton (Ty); and his three great-grandchildren, Paisley, Jett, and Reed.

Pallbearers were Destin Grant, Wade Grant, Ty Turner, Jarod Krebs, Channing “Rocky” Adams Sr., and Karl Vriesen. Honorary pallbearers will be Delane McMullen of Maben and David Daily of Vicksburg.