Rev. C. Keith McKenzie passed into the presence of his Heavenly Father on July 16, 2016, at home and surrounded by family.He was 84 years old.Keith was the eldest of seven children born to Elmer and Ida McKenzie in Thurso, Quebec, Canada.In 1961, Keith emigrated to the United States of America as a legally registered alien and worked as a journeyman printing pressman at Lane Press, Inc., in Burlington, Vermont.All six of his siblings are Canadian citizens:Twin sister, Constance Desrosiers; BeAnn (Robert) Horita; Twins, Jackson (Vera) McKenzie and Joy (Orville) Lyttle; Carroll (Tony) Duncan; David (Janice) McKenzie.

In 1964, Keith married Amelia Jane Dunfee, his wife of 52 years.They happily welcomed four children into their family: Rebecca (Robert) Frye, Jennifer (Steve) Wright, Keith (Amy) McKenzie, and Heather (Nathaniel) Bunner.With great joy, they have also welcomed twelve grandchildren over the years: Bethany (Michael) Laffey, Joshua Frye, Cody Frye, Lily Rose Wright, Jack Wright, Simon Wright, Amelia Wright, Gavin McKenzie, Garrett McKenzie, Grant McKenzie, Gabrielle Bunner, Cole Bunner.

In 1975, Keith answered the call of God on his life to become a minister of the gospel.He and his family moved to Toccoa, Georgia, where he graduated from Toccoa Falls College in 1979.Pastor Keith served churches in Georgia and Ohio over his thirty years of ministry.After retirement, he was honored as Pastor Emeritus of Rock Springs Baptist Church, Hartwell, Georgia, and Honorary Elder of Crosspointe Alliance Church, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Pastor Keith was predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Ida McKenzie, and his grandson, Simon Wright.Pastor Keith leaves behind several cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends and former parishioners whom he loved dearly and for whom he often prayed.

Funeral plans include calling hours on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Strickland Funeral Home in Hartwell, Georgia.The funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Strickland Funeral Home.Immediately following the service, interment will take place at Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Lavonia, Georgia.Dinner will be served by the ladies of Rock Springs Baptist Church after the graveside committal.

Flowers are optional.Memorial contributions to honor the memory of Pastor Keith may be made to HOPE International Development Agency, a relief organization whose International President is David McKenzie, youngest brother of Pastor Keith. Contributions can be mailed to Hope International, 214 Sixth Street, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, V3L 3A2 or online at www.hope-international.com.Brochures, donation cards, and envelopes are available.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.