Bessie Viola McKenzie

Viola was born on February 21, 1935 in Croom, Maryland to the late Roy and Bernice Jett. Loving Sister to Gene Matthews, Jimmy Jett and departed brother Ricky Jett. Loving Mother to Joey, Jimmy, Tommy and departed daughter Laurie Mckenzie. She left behind six grand children Little Jimmy, April, Ethan, Alyster, Mauria, Kerria and the oldest grandson Andy whom preceded her in death. She has two Great Grandchildren Destinee and AJ Mckenzie. She graduated from Sasscer High School in Upper Marlboro in 1953. She then Married the love of her life the late Tom Mckenzie on Jluly 16 of 1953. She spent her time raising her children and working in the tobacco fields for many years. After the hard work with the tobacco her favorite vacations was to Ocean City, Maryland with her family. She loved going to the board walk here she could get her salt water taffy and fudge. She loved Sunday dinners at he Mom and Dads where the whole family, her Sister, Brothers, Children and the Grand children would gather. After the death of her husband her boys and grandchildren moved her to South Wind Apartments in White Plains Maryland. During her stay there she made many friends. She loved pot luck, Bingo on Wednesdays and Happy hour where she drank her hot coffee and socialized with here friends and their were many. In 2016 she had a stroke which she could no longer stay by herself and moved with her son Jimmy. The family gathered together monthly on Sundays over dinner at her home in Brandywine. She loved these moments where all the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids would all be together. Her last family dinner was at her cousins restaurant in Benedict Maryland for her birthday. She was pleasantly surprised to see the whole family, Gene and Chick and their family, Jimmy and Vicky and their family, Billy Jett and his wife Jodi, Kirky, Joey, Jimmy and his wife Sissy, Brenda Wines and her daughter Lisa Garner and her cousin Pat Rawlings. In April of 2017 she moved with her son Jimmy to Virginia to live with her Grandson where she lived until she passed away on July 24, 2017. Family will receive friends on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at the Huntt Funeral Home, 3035 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, Maryland from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. Funeral service will be on Monday, July 31, 2017 at St. Thomas' Episcopal Parish, 14300 St. Thomas' Church Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland at 10:00am. Burial at church cemetery