James Alphonsa Mckenzie

Obituary

“Alphonsa” as he was lovingly called by his family and friends, was born to Joe and Annie McKenzie in Miami, Florida, on October 2, 1950.

After the death of his father, his mother moved him and his younger sister, Connie, back to Thomasville, Georgia, her hometown.

Alphonsa graduated from Douglass High School in May 1968. He was a member of the chorus and was a high stepping, dancing, drum major of the famous Douglass High School Band. He was past class president for 40 years after high school. He enlisted in the US Army in 1970, after 20 years of service he was honorably discharged. He later attended Walton Area Tech where he graduated with a diploma in air conditioning and refrigeration.

After his career with the military, he became an ordained deacon at St. Temple under the leadership of Elder Carol Pettis. He was an Avon Sales Rep and a member of the Mt. Vernon Lodge #1. He was employed with Southwestern Georgia Technical College where he retired a second time.

On January 1, 2005, he married his devoted sweetheart who survives him, the former Joevondel Farmer. They were married for 17 years.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories: his loving, dedicated wife, Joevondel McKenzie; children, Venus Woke (Emmanuel) of Raleigh, NC, Dr. Juan McKenzie of Texas, Jerrell A. McKenzie of North Carolina, Kizzia McKenzie of Maryland, and Charletta McKenzie of Ohio; two blended children, Kisha Williams of Atlanta, GA, and Antione Randall of Boston; two loving siblings, Connie Stafford of Thomasville and Alfred (Gloria) Baker of Atlanta, GA; 18 grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, five sisters-in-law, and five brothers-in-law; loving aunt, Phyllis Scott; dear cousin like a brother, Bishop Marcus Everett; a host of friends, Avon Customers; his Douglass High School, Class of 1968 and a special God sister Better Molden.

He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Mrs. Annie Lou Baker.