Cleis "Kit" W. Mackenzie

MACKENZIE, Cleis W., “Kit”, age 97, of Oakwood, OH passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022. She was born on September 24, 1925 in Jackson, TN to the late William O. and Frances Warford. Kit was a lifelong learner, teacher, and role-model. After her graduation from Judson College in Marion, Al, and post-graduate study at Wellesley College, in Wellesley, MA, Kit married (Daniel G. Evans, who preceded her in death 1973) and moved to New Orleans, LA. She had a successful career as a teacher of the Biological Sciences at The Academy of the Sacred Heart and Isidore Newman School, both in New Orleans, LA. Kit and her husband, Kenneth S. MacKenzie, moved to Dayton, OH following Hurricane Katrina. As a woman of deep faith, she was a member of Rayne Memorial Methodist Church in New Orleans and Fairmont Presbyterian Church, in Kettering, OH. Kit’s faith and passion for education led her to a volunteer-role teaching GED courses to inmates, through a church program. She could often be found staying active, with swimming, walking, and even training at the gym well into her nineties. Kit was a beautiful person, both inside and out, whose generosity and kindness will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Kenneth S. MacKenzie; sons, Gregory G. (Priscilla) Evans and Stephen (Jane) Evans; daughter, Frances (Jon) Evans Hoak; grandchildren, Geoffrey G. Evans, Grant M. Evans, Bradley K. Evans, Jonathan B. Evans, Michelle E. Shappee, Todd Thurgaland; 9 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family and friends.

The family would like to thank her numerous caregivers, especially Julie Lucente and Pandora Kilgore, as well as, Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, all of whom tended her with great devotion. A funeral service followed by a reception will be held at 11am on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Fairmont Presbyterian Church, 3705 Far Hills Ave, Kettering, OH 45429. Private burial at David’s Cemetery will be held prior. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Fairmont Presbyterian.