Kay MacKenzie

Short in stature, but with a personality larger than life, Kay Lorain MacKenzie, 75, of Vermontville, left the pain of her earthly body and entered the arms of her Lord on October 2, 2022. Kay was born on November 11, 1946, in Rosebush, Michigan to Gerald and Gladys (House) Huber, the oldest of six children. The daughter of a preacher, Kay went to many different schools and traveled around Michigan with her family, graduating from Hastings High School in 1964. She met her future husband, Keith MacKenzie, in high school, and they were married exactly one year to the day after graduation. They started their family in 1968, and in 1972 became the 4K’s, Keith, Kay, Kristine, and Kirk. Kay and Keith leave a big hole in the hearts of the family, as they each received cancer diagnosis in the summer of 2021, and Keith died just six months ago in April.
With a great sense of humor and a love for pranks, Kay enjoyed keeping people guessing on what was coming next. Before a trip bear hunting, Kay and her kids painted her husband’s toenails while he was sleeping, and he didn’t know until he took off his boots and socks at bear camp and his brother commented on how pretty his toes were. She knew her son-in-law hated bugs, so she would buy little plastic bugs to put in his gifts, but this was just an example of the very special relationship they enjoyed, poking and prodding each other. He once gave her a toe tag for her birthday, and she thought that was the funniest gift and was so proud that she carried it in her wallet right next to her birth certificate. Kay was a unique and special person who enjoyed finding the humor in everything she did.
A very sentimental person, Kay loved all the gifts she received, and could share a memory about every special thing she had, and there were many that always had to stay on display so she could see them and remember. She also loved buying special gifts for her friends and family, always knowing what each person collected and keeping an eye out for gifts that showed how much she cared. One of her favorite things was going to resale shops and garage sales and finding snowmen, cardinals, anything MSU, Coca Cola memorabilia, and the list goes on and on because she remembered the things that every loved friend and family member collected.
Some of the special accomplishments that Kay was proud of included the many deer, rabbits, turkey, squirrel, and even black bear that she shot. She also enjoyed fishing, camping, and bowling on a women’s league for many years. In her church, she served as treasurer for many years, was a Sunday School teacher (which started when she was still in high school), led children’s church activities, helped organize luncheons at the church, and she received an award for her work with the WCG (Women of the Church of God) statewide newsletter. Kay had a special place in her heart for children, each with their own special nickname, each knowing their importance and how much they were loved by Kay and loved by the Lord.
Kay is survived by her daughter, Kristine (Daniel) Sowles; son, Kirk MacKenzie; grandchildren, Carson (Amanda Webster) Ames, Jennelle Mackenzie Petras, Megan (Sam) Jordan, and Amanda (Mark) Wallis; bonus granddaughter, Macy (Devon) Wood; great-grandchildren, Logan Ames, Mackenzie Petras, and Myah Wallis; bonus great-grandson, Mason (Woody) Wood; brothers, Jay Huber, John Huber, and Rick Churchill; sisters, Loretta (Jim) Holm, Valera (Mike) Lewis, and Lori (Mike) Rogers; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don MacKenzie, Doug (Judy) MacKenzie, Den (Bonnie) MacKenzie, and Denice (Joe) Morgan; and many very loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith MacKenzie in April of 2022; sister, Evelyn Huber; infant brother, Jack Huber, sister-in-law, Marilyn MacKenzie; parents; and step-mother, Marilyn Roach.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate a life well lived by attending visitation and funeral services. Visitation was Thursday, October, 6 from 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, MI. Funeral Services were Friday, October 7, at 4:00 p.m. at the South Cochran Church of God in Charlotte with Pastor Michael Rysko officiating. The funeral was webcast on her tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com, click on Kay’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone), and there will be a link for webcasting on this page. The family suggests memorial contributions to South Cochran Church of God. Everyone is invited to share memories of Kay on her tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.