Mary Lee Blalock McKenzie

Mary Lee Blalock McKenzie, aged 102 years, 8 months passed away on September 9th, 2014 surrounded by family and caregivers at her home in Spencer, NC. Mary Lee was born in Hickory, NC to the late Arthur Gattis Blalock and Mary Drusilla Wolfe Blalock. She was a proud graduate of Spencer High School and later of Flora MacDonald College in Red Springs, NC. Mary Lee subsequently pursued a Master’s Degree in Christian Education at the Biblical Seminary in New York City. Mary Lee dedicated her life to her faith. Shortly after completing her education, she became a city missionary working with the children in the poorer sections of New York City. While working there she met her future husband, who was attending an event at his seminary alma mater. On September 8, 1938, she married Charles Stewart McKenzie and joined him in his established ministry at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Madonna, MD. In 1942, the McKenzie’s were called to ministry at Western Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC. They remained there until Reverend McKenzie’s retirement in 1974. One of her biggest achievements was a Christian Weekday Preschool that she created and directed as an outreach ministry of Central Presbyterian Church. This endeavor brought together many of the diverse cultural backgrounds of the neighborhood where many spoke little or no English. The preschool was so successful that it continued actively through the 1968 riots. When the National Guard came to escort her out of the neighborhood, she wouldn’t go until all of her children were safely home. All of this while serving as an active minister’s wife and volunteering at the Ingleside Presbyterian Home on the Women’s Board. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Stewart. She is survived by her children Robert Murdo McKenzie and his wife Mary Ellen McKenzie, David Stewart McKenzie, daughter-in-law Judith Bradsher McKenzie and daughter Mary Lynne McKenzie. She leaves behind a healthy legacy of 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Rowan Hospice, 720 Grove Street, Salisbury, NC 28144 or Spencer Presbyterian Church, PO Box 4, Spencer, NC 28159. Services are to be held at Western Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC and burial will take place at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Madonna, MD.

Mary Lee Blalock McKenzie

December 30, 1911 - September 9, 2014