Bobby D. McKenzie

Bobby Duglas McKenzie was born to Jamie and Fred McKenzie on October 17,1951, in Barnesville, Georgia. He departed this life on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Bobby was the oldest of three children and was the only son born to his parents. Bobby’s sister Linda affectionately called him ‘the golden child.” Bobby was raised in a warm and supportive home where his parents demonstrated love and respect for each other and their children. Bobby accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Yatesville, Georgia. Later in life, after joining the faculty at Alabama Lutheran College in Selma, Alabama, he became a member of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Wilcox County, under the leadership of Dr. Julius Jenkins. After retiring and moving to Georgia, he attended McDonough Presbyterian, Antioch Baptist, New Covenant, and Shiloh Baptist churches. After graduating from high school in May of 1969, Bobby attended Alabama State University in Montgomery, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. During his sophomore year of college, he pledged and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and as he would always say, “Beta Zeta, none greater!” He genuinely believed mantra. Bobby’s fraternity brothers gave him the nickname “Big Mac.” He had a special love and respect for his fraternity and his brothers. He became a Life Member of the fraternity in the early eighties. Bobby served as Polemarch of the Selma-Alumni Chapter for nine years. Upon his arrival in McDonough, Georgia, he became a member of the Stockbridge-Jonesboro Alumni Chapter. Although he did not have biological brothers, he regarded several of his college line brothers as his biological brothers. Also, he was close to a number of other Kappas, former Alabama State Marching Hornets from his college days, and a few special friends. He was truly a “Kappa Man” in the best sense of the words. Bobby had numerous positive experiences during his matriculation at Alabama State University. However, there are three that were very memorable for him. The first high point was successfully challenging other saxophone players in the marching band and concert band to become Saxophone Section Leader and First Chair, respectively, during his sophomore year. The second high point for him was performing with Alabama State Marching Hornets in 1969, at the Super Bowl between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans, Louisiana. Bobby was a first-year student at that time. His third memorable experience, and perhaps the one of which he was most proud of occurred during his senior year. It was the final exit criterion for a senior graduating from the Alabama State University Music Department. A graduating senior was required to perform a solo concert for the public to demonstrate performance proficiency playing his or her respective instrument. He was immensely proud of his performance. Bobby was a great musician- Not only could he play, but he also wrote and arranged music. Bobby launched his professional career in 1975 by accepting a position in the Music Department at Alabama Lutheran College (later known as Concordia College-Selma). He returned to Alabama State University in 1980, where earned a Master of Science degree in Music Education. From 1982 to 1984, he completed post-graduate work in the Music Department at the University of Memphis in Tennessee. After completing graduate and postgraduate work, he later became Chairperson of the Music Department at Concordia College-Selma. Bobby’s tenure with Concordia College-Selma was both rewarding and challenging. He was challenged with the task of creating both instrumental and vocal groups that would showcase some of the best of Concordia. He and his groups traveled across the State of Alabama and across the country delivering religious music to churches and other venues for more than thirty years. Music was his gift and his passion. He had a fatherly love for the students in his music groups, as evidenced by his students’ outpouring of love via phone calls, texts, Facebook posts, e-mails, and visits prior to and after his retirement. Some of his happiest moments were when he told stories about experiences with his groups, the Concordia Ensemble and Concordia Jazz Band. He was enormously proud of their accomplishments. Bobby has two sons, Bobby (Doug) and Brandon from his first marriage. One great highlight during the past few years was a trip to Denver, Colorado afforded to him by his younger son, Brandon, to see the Denver Nuggets play. He enjoyed talking to his friends about his trip. During the fall of 1985, Bobby met Fannie Sanders Major. They had a long and wonderful courtship. During their time together, they shared hundreds of lasting memories. They had a special bond that was based on love and respect. Bobby could always depend on Fannie to come through for him whenever he needed her. She never failed him. And likewise, she could always depend on him. In January of 2002, Bobby and Fannie, having been partners since 1985, were married. At the time of his departure, they had been married for 22 years. Bobby (“Big Mac”) was preceded in death by his parents, Jamie and Fred McKenzie; two sisters, Jacqueline McKenzie and Linda McKenzie; and one stepdaughter, Faya Ife’ Major Paul. Although departed, Bobby (“Big Mac”) lives in the heart and memory of his loved ones. His legacy of love includes his devoted wife, Fannie Sanders McKenzie, McDonough, GA; two sons, Doug McKenzie (Michele), Montgomery, Alabama; Brandon McKenzie, Columbus, GA; one stepson, Mosi Omar Major, Mableton, GA; one son-in-law, Andrew Paul, McDonough, GA; two grandsons, Brandon (BJ) McKenzie, Columbus, Georgia; Bobby McKenzie, Montgomery, Alabama; five granddaughters, Navilla Paul, Stockbridge, Georgia; Mekala McKenzie, Morgan McKenzie and Madison McKenzie, all of Montgomery, Alabama; Fanikia Neema Paul, McDonough, Georgia; three sisters-in-law, Lelia Gordon, Watertown, Massachusetts; Elouise Robinson (James), Bay Minette, Alabama; Dixie Bonner (Walter), Talladega, Alabama; five brothers-in-law, Hank Sanders (Rose), Selma, Alabama; John Sanders, Rochester, New York; Charles Sanders, West Blocton, Alabama; Douglas Sanders (Karen), Fayetteville, Georgia; Willie Edward Sanders (Brenda), Rice, Virginia; special first cousins, Bebjamin “Bruce Jackson and Mary Kate Jackson, Barnesville, Georgia; James (Gladys) Prater, Yatesville, Georgia; Alphonso (Christine) Prater, Decatur, Georgia; Annie Ciel Prater, Atlanta, Georgia; Lessie Harris, Yatesville, Georgia: Ricky (Beverly), Stone Mountain, Georgia; devoted friends Arvell (Vrita) Delaine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Grady (Faye) Thompson, Albany, Georgia; Willie Brunson, Memphis, Tennessee; Danny (Judy) Five Points, Alabama; Robert (Angernette) Carter, Selma, Alabama; Bruce ( Dorothy) Barnes, Selma, Alabama; Melvin Flannegan, Selma, Alabama; Charles (Andrea) Johnson, Agusta, Georgia; Reginald (Renee) Wells, Selma, Alabama; Delbert Melton (Spider), Barnesville, Georgia; the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; a village of over 70 special nieces and nephews, a host of cousins, other extended relatives, former students and friends.

Bobby D. McKenzie

October 17, 1951 - May 21, 2024