DARDANELLE — Earldean McKenzie of Dardanelle, Ark.,
died peacefully in her sleep on October 9, 2022. A memorial service will be 2:00 PM, Monday, October 24, 2002, at First Presbyterian Church of Dardanelle. Interment will be in the family plot at Brearly Cemetery in Dardanelle, under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service. Earldean was born January 31, 1924, in Pottsville, Ark., to Earl and Lottie Redmond. Her family later moved to Atkins where she was raised and graduated from her high school senior class of 12.
She is survived by her three children: Jim and Beverly McKenzie of Little Rock, and their five children, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Sarah Migeot of Maumelle, and her four children, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, and Tim and Rely McKenzie of Little Rock, and their three children and three grandchildren.
In high school, her crew of girlfriends were known as the “wild bunch” because they sneaked off to the movies in Russellville, smoked cigarettes, and met up with a group of Dardanelle boys. During World War II, she worked in the Jacksonville ordinance works and took flying lessons at Adams Field so she could join the Women’s Air Corps, but the war ended before she finished her pilot’s license. After the war, she married B.C. “Jiggs” McKenzie, one of those Dardanelle boys. Earldean and Jiggs were married for 59 years until his passing in 2005.
She was an avid bridge player and, before the pandemic, enjoyed playing regularly with friends in Dardanelle and Russellville, often serving as the designated driver. Jiggs and Earldean were charter members of Grace Presbyterian Church of Little Rock, and after retirement to Dardanelle, were both active in the First Presbyterian Church of Dardanelle. She lived a life of quiet and consistent faith demonstrated through her many acts of serving others in her family, church, and community. After a long and full life, she faced death the way she had life; with class, calm, strength and with her unique sense of humor. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 200 North 2nd Street, Dardanelle, Ark. 72834. Her internet obituary and online guestbook are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.