Joan Elizabeth McKenzie

Joan Elizabeth McKenzie, 89, originally of Searcy, Arkansas departed this life on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at her residence in Greenbrier, Arkansas. She was born January 26, 1934 in Pangburn, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Arch Lee and Lucile Hays. Joan was a 1952 graduate of Searcy High School. She began a career with Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator that lasted over two decades. She then went to work for Vickers until she retired. She married the love of her life, Milburn McKenzie, and they spent 59 wonderful years together. Joan was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a caregiver for her parents, her husband’s parents, and her husband. In retirement she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Special occasions always included southern home-cooked meals. Chocolate pie and peanut butter fudge were her specialties. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Lisa (Jerry) Bradley, Leah (Rick) Green, Laura Cooke, and Lana McMahan, her grandchildren, Leigh (Dallas) Taylor, Jason (Julie) Bradley, Todd (Erin) Green, Mac (Kristen) Cooke, Marcus (Tiffany) Cooke, Tyler (Chrissy) Green, Adam (Kristin) McMahan, Sarah (Patrick) Terry, and Ashley McMahan, her great grandchildren, Abigail Bradley, Aidan Bradley, Anna Bradley, McKenzie Taylor, Lydia Taylor, Nora Taylor, Georgia Green, Evie Green, Maren Cooke, Rowan Cooke, Jude McMahan, and Nevie McMahan, her sister, Ruby (Bill) Lane. She was preceded in death by her husband, Milburn, her sons-in-law, Jon McMahan and Doug Cooke, her parents, her brothers, James Ardean Hays, Emmett L. Hays, and John Paul Hays, her sisters, Dora Mae McDaniel, Sybil Clay, and Polly West. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home in Searcy, Arkansas with her grandson, Todd Green officiating. Visitation will be held prior to services beginning at 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Searcy, Arkansas. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Jason Bradley, Todd Green, Mac Cooke, Marcus Cooke, Tyler Green, Adam McMahan, Dallas Taylor, and Patrick Terry. The family would like to express their appreciation to Greenbrier Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their compassionate care and love. They were touched by the number of staff who shared stories and emotional goodbyes with her and her family. Also, thank you to Hospice Homecare for providing excellent care and advocacy for Joan during her illness.

Joan Elizabeth McKenzie

January 26, 1934 - July 25, 2023