Mrs. Linda Lou McKenzie

Linda Lou (Colvin) McKenzie passed on July 31, 2026, at Stuart House in Centralia, MO. She was born to Joseph Martilus Colvin and Hallie Bass (Ellis) Colvin on January 21, 1941, at a home in rural Boone County, MO, near Whoop-Up. An only child, Linda considered her maternal cousins, Glenda (Ellis) Scanlan and Saundra (Ellis) Sapp, like sisters. Childhood friend Almeda (Sapp) Curtis was also like a sister to her. Linda attended Nashville School, a one room schoolhouse near Whoop-Up and graduated from Hickman High School in Columbia, MO in 1959.

After graduation, she began working at Boone County Oil Company. There she met a client, James Edward Ballenger, who introduced her to his cousin, Henry Raymond McKenzie. Ray and Linda were united in marriage at Nashville Baptist Church on August 6, 1961, and were blessed with nearly 65 years together. They resided in the community of Hallsville, MO for their entire marriage.

Linda was a beloved mother to daughters, Kimila (David) Boyle of Marquette, MI, Kara (Donald Jr.) McDaniel of St. Charles, MO and Kena (Andrew) Neely of Wentzville, MO. She was blessed to be Grammy to grandsons, Tyler (Annie) Boyle of Hancock, MI, Colin McDaniel of Kirkwood, MO, Bryce McDaniel of St. Charles, MO and Aidan McDaniel of Chicago, IL. Her first great grandchild is expected in November.

After all her daughters entered school, Linda began employment at 3M in Columbia, MO, where she worked until her retirement in 2002.

Linda was a talented homemaker, known for the Red Velvet cakes that she created for family birthdays and holidays. A gifted seamstress, she made her wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses. She also did the same for the weddings of her daughters. Always a night owl, it was not uncommon to hear the purr of her trusted Singer sewing machine operating well after midnight. Although she didn’t take up quilting like her paternal grandmother or wood carving like her father, she had a lifelong interest in arts and crafts. It brought Linda joy to share her paper cutting, origami and stamped greeting card creations with family & friends to celebrate birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and births. Prior to Pinterest and TikTok, she taught many how to create beautiful ribbon bows. Linda was blessed with the talent of being able to play the piano by ear, just as her mother had.

Although quiet and not fond of attention, her warm cheery smile and twinkle in her eyes made everyone feel noticed, loved and welcome. Linda offered a compassionate ear and shoulder to those in need of a good venting session. Despite working overnight shift for numerous years, she was always present for her daughters and rarely missed their basketball and softball games.

She was a member of Park Lane Community Church (formerly Hallsville United Methodist). Thank you to her church community, friends, neighbors and family for their prayers and many acts of kindness during Linda’s journey with Alzheimer’s.

The family extends their thanks and gratitude to Right At Home, St. Croix Hospice and Stuart House for their compassionate care, gentle guidance, kindness and love through this heartbreaking process.

Linda is survived by her husband, daughters, sons-in-law, grandsons and granddaughter-in-law. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Julie (Henrikson) McKenzie, brother-in-law, Ronald Albin and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Jane (Durk) McKenzie, along with nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, father-in-law, Robert Raymond “Jack” McKenzie and mother-in-law, Anna Maxine (McCauley) McKenzie, she was preceded in death by brother-in-law, Bobbie Dean McKenzie and sister-in-law, Wanda Jean (McKenzie) Albin.

Visitation for Linda will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 9:00-10:30 a.m., with funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO, 65202. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Please consider contributions in Linda’s memory to Park Lane Community Church, 11700 N. Route B, Hallsville, MO 65255 or Alzheimer’s Association.