Jody Lynn McKenzie

Jody Lynn McKenzie, 57, passed away suddenly at home on August 31, 2021. She was vibrant five days before; that night she just peacefully went to sleep. Jody was born on August 23rd, 1964 in Long Island to Roxanne McKenzie. The following year her mother moved to Brooklyn and married Curtis Williams; Jody quickly became the apple of his eye. When her sister Agnes was born a year later, the family was complete. In 1967 the family moved to Langston Hughes Houses in Brownsville, Brooklyn, where many of Jody’s childhood bonds were made. Everybody knew the inhabitants of apartment 15B: Ms. Roxanne, Jody, Curtis and Aggie.

 Jody attended New York City public schools and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn. She later attended Crown Business Institute in Manhattan after having her first-born, Micheal.

Jody loved life, though it wasn’t always easy. Despite it all, she loved to laugh and had a personality that took over a room. She was always the life of the party! She enjoyed being around children and made sure to volunteer at or be on the PTA of whatever school her children were attending. Jody also loved church. Every church she attended, she joined, it didn’t matter where! Most recently, she became a member of the St. Philips Baptist Church in Staten Island.

 What’s not well known about Jody is she had a photographic memory. She excelled in school, easily having excellent grades. What IS well known is her devotion to her grandchildren. It’s also well known that Jody left her mark on her Bronx community, where she moved to six years ago. She was quick to help anyone in need and always did it with a smile. She had a lot of acquaintances in Brownsville and in the Bronx (many she affectionately called “Wordy”). She will truly be missed by so many.

 Jody lost two sons. She was preceded in death by her son Carl Melvin Norman, Jr. (“CJ”). She was heartbroken beyond recovery by the sudden passing in April of her youngest son, Ju’an Raphael McKenzie. In addition to both of them, Jody was preceded in death by her mother, Roxanne Williams and many extended family members.

Jody leaves to lovingly cherish her memory her three surviving children, Micheal (Nicole) McKenzie, Lawrence Stokes, and Jalisa McKenzie;  sister, Agnes (John, Sr.) McBeth;   two brothers, Johnnie McKenzie and Leverne (Emma) McKenzie; step-father, Curtis (Pat) Williams; four aunts, Gladys Graham, Helen McNeill, Alice Huins and Monique Rainey; two uncles, Roosevelt McKenzie and Eddie Williams, Jr.; seven grandchildren, Mekhi McKenzie, Jai Fulwood, Lawren and Lawrence Stokes, Jr., Chastity Norman, Camari McKenzie and Dawson Stokes; and a host of nieces and nephews. Jody had a special relationship with Amber Haynes, whom she considered her adopted daughter, and Keshaun Bannerman, who bonded as a son after Ju’an’s passing. Additionally, she had a special love for Pastor William & Lady Maya Daniels and the King of Glory Tabernacle family.

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