George McKenzie

George “Buddy” McKenzie, age 72, husband of Catherine Kennedy McKenzie, died July 31, 2007, at Sumter Health and Rehab Center.

Born Dec. 15, 1934, in the New Zion section of Clarendon County, he was the son of the late Ezekiel McKenzie and Olivia Rhodes McKenzie. He accepted Christ as his savior and joined Howard Chapel AME Church. He received his formal education in the public schools of Clarendon County.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Kennedy McKenzie of the home; two daughters, Janie Mae McKenzie and Mary (Gregory) McKenzie, both of Gable; seven sons, Willie James (Hattie) McKenzie of Gable, Curtis (Patricia) McKenzie of Manning, Willie L. (Marilyn) McKenzie of Columbus, Miss., Tracy A. (Mary Ann) McKenzie of Dalzell, George E. (Loretta) McKenzie and Freddie (Vicky) McKenzie, both of Sumter, and Lincoln (Harritte) McKenzie of Andrews; two sisters, Sadie Ceasar of Manning and Shellie McKenzie of Gable; 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; grandchildren reared as his own, Trayshaun Q. McKenzie and Tyquan T. McKenzie, both of the home, and Kwai’Daja S. Ham of Gable.

He was preceded in death by four sisters and five brothers.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007, at Howard Chapel AME Church in New Zion, with the Rev. Alfred Bradley officiating.

Burial followed in the churchyard cemetery.

Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of the arrangements.