Ms. Vernell McKenzie of Warner Robins, Georgia died Friday, May 17, 2024 in Savannah, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Sunday, May 26, 2024 at 12:00 Noon in the chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia.  The burial will follow at Vienna City Cemetery in Vienna, Georgia.

Ms. Vernell "Granny" McKenzie was born September 23, 1940 in Dooly County, Georgia.  She was born to the late Bernice "OT" Collier and the late Robert Dennard, Sr.

Vernell was educated in the Dooly County School and was a 1958 high school graduate.  She was a star basketball player and led her team to the state finals.

She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at the St. Mark Baptist Church in Vienna, Georgia.  She later joined the Body of Christ Ministry.

Vernell was employed for many years at Cordele Uniform.  She also worked as a private sitter and a cook for Perlis Truckstop (TA).  She would eventually retire and keep her first great   grandson.

On Friday, May 17, 2024, she answered the call of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Willie Joe Thomas, Robert Dennard, Jr. and Dennis Dennard; her sisters, Phyllis Sherman and Brenda Dennard; and a special cousin, Catherine Perry.

She leaves cherished memories to her loving and devoted children, Beverly Vance of Cordele, Georgia and Karen    McKenzie, her caretaker, of Savannah, Georgia; her grandchildren, Shonterria L. Street of Savannah, Georgia, Carlos Ervin of Cordele, Georgia, Kimberly Daniels and Kevin (Danise) Felton both of Savannah, Georgia; her great grandchildren, Jamyles, Kameron, Carlin, Carmello, Lauren, Aaliyah, Caiden and Gianna; her god children, Rotavius Collier of Perry, Georgia, Dewayne Colllier of Vienna, Georgia, Angela Tripp and Valerie Royal both of Cordele, Georgia, and Sharon Bush of Savannah, Georgia; her children whom she loved dearly, Crandall (Letha) Jones, India H. (Stan) Harris, Stan Forrester, Jahndra Cabrera, Treskle McRae, and Greshin McRae; three nieces, Tawanda  Sherman, Tameisha Sherman, and TaMaria Sherman; two nephews, Darrell Thomas and Keika Jones; her special cousins, Roosevelt (Bevery) Cobb of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Vivian (John) Johnson, Larry (Mary) Collier, and James (Retha) Collier all of Vienna, Georgia; her best friends, Nanie Banks, Christine Anderson of Vienna, Georgia; Louise Royal, Jean Akins and  Beryl Patrick all of Cordele, Georgia; a host of other relatives and many sorrowing friends.