LTC (Retired) Cecelia Gardine Battle McKenzie departed this life on March 15, 2023, at Ambrosio Texas State Veteran Home in El Paso, Texas. A native of Petersburg. Virginia, born January 27, 1923, to Mamie Fitzgerald and Charles Battle, who preceded her in death. She attended Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia, and graduated from MeHarry Medical College School of Nursing.
Nashville, Tennessee.
She served at the Veterans Administrative Facility, Dearborn, Michigan, and entered the Army in 1950. Major assignments have been Valley Forge General Hospital; Phoenixville, PA; Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii; Dewitt Army Hospital, Fort Belvoir, VA; 60th Station Hospital at Chinon, France; U.S. Army Medical Command, Sagamihara, Japan; U.S. Army Medical Command, Ryukyu Islands, Japan; and William Beaumont Medical Center, El Paso, Texas, from which she retired in 1973.
Award citations given are the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
On August 23, 1973, she married the Rev. Samuel McKenzie of El Paso, Texas. He preceded her in death March 1983. Col McKenzie was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church, El Paso, Texas.
Survivors include her surrogate son and daughter, Rev. Dr. COL (Retired) Ronald and Shirley Strong; Grandkids Ronald Strong II (Naples, FL); Roshawnda Ray (Carlos Ray) (St. Augustine, FL); Sadria Strong (McDonough, GA); Military son and daughter COL (Retired) Edward and Linda Maney; Devoted friends and caregivers Dianne Collins, and Irene Garcia (El Paso, Texas), Monique Chandler (Suwannee, GA): Dedicated friends Davie Johnson, Mrs. Dale Cunningham, LTC(Retired) Raymond and Roberta Cartwright, Robert and Voileta Torres, loyal neighbors Vern and Jimmie Malone, and numerous friends in El Paso and throughout the U.S.A.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Living Waters Spiritual Renewal Center, 2776 Oakgrove Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32092.
A Celebration of Life for LTC McKenzie will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Funeraria del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Avenue with interment to follow in Fort Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelMartin.com for the McKenzie family.
