Graveside services will be conducted simultaneously for Mr. Johnny Franklin McKenzie and his beloved wife, Kathleen “Barbara” O’Shea McKenzie, at 2:00 pm Friday, February 13, 2026, at the Rials Creek Cemetery in Simpson County. Mr. McKenzie departed this world early Tuesday morning, February 10, 2026, within 24 hours of his wife. The Reverend Ted Bowlin will officiate. Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 12:30 until 1:30 PM at Saulters Moore Funeral Home.

Johnny Franklin McKenzie was born in Smith County, Mississippi to Chalmers Baker McKenzie and Lora Mae Carrol McKenzie. He worked for many years as an over-the-road truck driver and as a mechanic.

By a chance encounter, he met the love of his life, Barbara McKenzie, in 2007. Johnny was driving trucks across the country, and while in Modesto, California, Mrs. Barbara helped him obtain an urgently needed last-minute permit. As a token of his appreciation, he took her out to eat, and thus the relationship began. They communicated by phone and online for almost a year. Mrs. Barbara unfortunately suffered a stroke in 2008, and Mr. Johnny went to Modesto, California, and brought her back with him to Prentiss, Mississippi. For the next several years, they enjoyed the simple things in life: sitting in the swing, a good Western, bluegrass music, eating catfish and hamburger steak, and getting breakfast from Piggly Wiggly every morning. Mr. Johnny acted as her caregiver, and she was his trusted companion. And so, ends this romantic love story of two who met by chance, and these sweethearts will spend eternity hand in hand, enjoying heaven's best.

Johnny is preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Barbara O’Shea McKenzie; his parents, Chalmer Baker and Lora Mae McKenzie; his sister, Marie Smith; and his brother, Grady McKenzie.

He is survived by his brother, Joe McKenzie (Judy) ; his sisters, Vertie Cooley and Myrtis Ann Haun; his great-nieces, Clare McKenzie and Erin McKenzie; a special nephew, Bryan McKenzie of Madison; and his nurse, friend, and caregiver, Michelle Reid of Carson.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com.