Richard Watson McKenzie, Sr., 83, husband of the late Nancy Ann Spears McKenzie, passed peacefully on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, SC.

   Mr. McKenzie was born on September 20, 1936 in Scranton, South Carolina and was the son of Leroy Watson and Lila Mae McCutcheon McKenzie. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, enlisting during the Korean War and serving in Germany. He graduated from Carolina College of Commerce, was owner of Max’s Department Store and retired from the U.S. Postal Service after many years as Postmaster.

   Mr. McKenzie was a member of the Kingstree First Baptist Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the USAF Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol. He was also a Master Mason and a Shriner.

   In his early years he enjoyed flying planes, playing golf, fishing and traveling. He coached Williamsburg Academy’s Boys’ Golf team and Little League Baseball and was also a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America.

   Mr. McKenzie is survived by his daughter, Linda McKenzie (Hal) Lamb of Kingstree; his son, Richard “Ricky” Watson (Angie) McKenzie, Jr. of Hemingway; five grandchildren, Blake Lamb (Madison) of Mount Pleasant; Kevin Lamb (Natalie) of Kingstree, and Olivia Lowery (James) of Sumter; Linda Ann McKenzie of Johnsonville, and Ashlee McKenzie, of Hemingway; three great-grandchildren Scarlett McKenzie of Hemingway, Trey Lowery of Sumter, and Hal Lamb of Kingstree; and his cherished sister Elsie McKenzie (Reezin) Swilley, of Houston, Texas. In addition to his parents, Mr. McKenzie was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Joe “Buddy” McKenzie, and a sister, Roylee Usery.

   A graveside service will be held at 11 AM, Friday, August 7, 2020 at Kingstree Memorial Gardens directed by Williamsburg Funeral Home. The family will receive friends immediately following the services at the cemetery. Masks should be worn and social distancing rules will be used at both gatherings. 

   The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Southland Health Care Center who provided such loving comfort and care to Mr. McKenzie and to the caregivers who helped take care of Mr. McKenzie and his late wife at their home: Gail McCrea, Justine Graham and Jessica Scott.

  Memorials may be made to Kingstree First Baptist Church, 400 N Academy Street, Kingstree, SC 29556, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Greenville, Office of Development, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605, or to the charity of one’s choice.