VELMA MCKENZIE

LAMAR- Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Daniel Funeral Home for Velma Norine McKenzie, 75, Lamar, who died Thursday night, July 27, 2017, at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada, Mo. Burial will be in Lockwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.danielfuneralhome.net.

Survivors include her husband, Marvin, of the home; a stepson, Mike McKenzie, Joplin; two grandchildren, Zack and Rachelle McKenzie; sisters-in-law, Alvenna Valentine, Lamar, Mary Jane Kaderly, Belton, Dorothy Harris, Cedar Park, Texas and Rose Casey, Lamar; a double cousin, Eftin Strong and wife Ingrid, Sequim, Wash. and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Russell Harris, Bob Harris and Jack Harris.

Mrs. McKenzie was born Dec. 2, 1941, in Ava, to Monroe and Audra (Graham) Strong. She was reared by her mother and stepfather, Floyd Harris.

She married the love of her life, Marvin E. McKenzie on Dec. 3, 1973 and they made their home in Lamar for the past 44 years. The two had worked side-by-side, creating craft products which they sold in area craft malls and enjoyed sharing the abundance of their large vegetable gardens with neighbors and friends. They were longtime faithful members of Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church and loved gospel music. Blessed with a keen sense of humor and an outgoing personality, she never met a stranger and her kindness and compassion for others made her a true and loving friend to everyone who knew her.