McKenzie – Willie Mae McKenzie, age 84, of Starke, Florida passed away on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Shands Starke Regional Medical Center with her loving family by her side. She was born in Jesup, GA on December 9, 1931 to the late Manuel Washington Mitchell and Mary Maybell Ring Mitchell. She married the love of her life, Jasper Lee McKenzie, in 1951 and they happily raised their 9 children together. Willie Mae has been a resident of Starke for the past 44 years after relocating with her family from Jacksonville, Florida. She was the proud owner and operator of the Bargain Center in Starke with her husband and later McKenzie’s Country Kitchen. Willie Mae was a very caring woman who always gave to others. She was a devoted wife, excellent mother, loving grandmother, sister, and friend. She raised her nine children and helped raise many other children. Willie Mae enjoyed cooking and opening up her home to everyone. She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 36 years, Jasper Lee McKenzie, Sr.; her brothers, J.W., Carl Julian, Sr., and David Donald Mitchell, Sr.; her sisters, Agnes Anthony and Velma Gravely; and her grandson, David Allen McKenzie, Jacob Johns, Matthew Johns, and D.J. Cooper.

Willie Mae is survived by her five sons, Jasper “Lee” (Jean) McKenzie, Jr. of Middleburg, FL, James Everett (Belinda) McKenzie, Julius “Lynne” (Debbie) McKenzie, Willie Lee (Laura) McKenzie, and Michael (Jennifer) McKenzie all of Starke, FL; her four daughters, Linda “Dianne” Rathbun of Starke, FL, Serita “June” (Len) Janssen of Palm Coast, FL, Joyce Elaine “Jody” McKenzie of Starke, FL, and Susan “Susie” Marie (Nativadad) Barahona of Jacksonville, FL; her brother, Robert (Carolyn) Mitchell, Sr. of Lake City, FL; his sister, Mary Mitchell of Apache Junction, AZ; her 22 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Willie Mae’s Life will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 10:00 am at the Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel with Brother John Frampton officiating. Interment will follow at Crosby Lake Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel, Starke, FL. 904-964-5757.