Mattie McKenze

McKENZE, Mrs. Mattie - Age 83, passed away Saturday, June 7, 2008 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 11AM Saturday, June 14, 2008 at Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Hwy., with funeral service commencing at 12Noon, Rev. Dr. Tara Sutton officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11AM Saturday. Mrs. McKenze will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2-8PM Friday. Mrs. Mattie Ola McKenze was born May 3, 1925 in Keo, Arkansas, the daughter of Cleveland Tillmon and Lula Mae Taylor. She grew up as the daughter of a United Methodist Minister. Mattie loved Bethel United Methodist Church, where she has been a faithful member since 1953. Mattie taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, served as President of United Methodist Women and Senior Choir. She also served as Conference Delegate of the District, Annual and Black Methodist Church Renewal (BMCR). Mattie was a very accomplished soloist and a member of the Senior and Gospel Choir. Mattie attended Philander Smith College and studied for a major in English and minor in music. She completed her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education in Michigan a few years later. Mattie played volleyball and Basketball in College. She was also offered a professional career as an Opera Singer. Instead Mattie preferred to be a wife and mother and made a decision to devote her voice to the Lord. In 1947 Mattie married her loving husband George McKenze, Sr. Mattie obtained her State License in Cosmetology. She also worked in the Flint Community School District for 10 years. She loved to play blooper ball. Mattie was a member of the first African-American Canusa Games Blooper Ball Championship Team. She played Blooper Ball until the age of 50 and attended Aerobic classes until age 76. Mrs. Mattie Ola McKenze leaves to cherish her memory: husband of 61 years, George McKenze, Sr.; daughters, Joy (Leon) Gould and Wanda Lyons; sons, George (Victoria) McKenze, Jr. and John McKenze, all of Flint; step-daughter, Gevevive Faye (Hugh) Smith of Jamaica, West Indies; 26 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sister, Lena Moore of Little Rock, AR; special niece, Margaret Smith of St. Louis, MO; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Mrs. McKenze was preceded in death by her parents, Cleveland Grover and Lula Mae Tillmon; brother, C.G. Tillmon, Jr.; sisters, Willie May Armour and Willie Marie Moore; son-in-law, Charles Stanley Lyons. The family would like to express special thanks to Hurley DaVita Dialysis Center, Hurley Medical Center Emergency and 4th floor staff.

Mattie McKenze

May 3, 1925 - June 7, 2008