Joseph "Joe" Edward McKenzie

Joseph Edward “Joe” McKenzie, 79 of Princeton passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at his residence. Born March 8, 1943 in Princeton he was the son of the late Joe McKenzie and Viola Forney McKenzie. Joe attended Dunbar Elementary School in Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School in 1960. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and completed four years service. Joe then continued his education at Bluefield State College and graduated with a degree in Biological Science, General Science Health and Physical Education. He did his graduate studies at the University of Salem Teikyo, Radford University, and Marshall University and completed his Master’s Degree in Administration of Education from West Virginia University Graduate School. Joe was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He began his teaching career at Central Junior High School and Bluefield Junior High School for thirteen years where he taught General Science and coached basketball, football, and track. He was promoted to Assistant Principal at Princeton Junior High School and then to Principal at Bramwell School. He then transferred back to Princeton Middle School as Principal where he retired after thirty-eight years of teaching and administrative duties. Joe was a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Princeton serving as Church Treasurer and a member of the Trustee Board. Joe was a devoted husband, father of two, a proud grandfather and great grandfather. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Rev. Leroy Parsons, John Hairston, and Fred McKenzie; and four sisters, Rose Marie Norwood, Ruby Jean Taylor, Sylvia Hairston, and Sarah Hairston. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.  Survivors include his wife, Virginia Lee Anderson McKenzie of Princeton; two children, Timothy Edward “Tim” McKenzie and wife Amesha of Bluefield, WV and Michelle Denise McKenzie-Muhammad of Winston Salem, NC; five grandchildren, Demarray McKenzie, Jhaqui and Jhaqua Powell, Tristan Muhammad, and Tyjah Muhammad; and one great grandson, Demarray McKenzie, II. In keeping with Joe’s wishes, his body will be cremated. A memorial service to celebrate Joe’s life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with Reverend Donald Conners officiating and the U.S. Air Force conducting military rites. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1:00 PM until the service hour on Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 111 High St., Princeton, WV 24740.