Karen E. (Wybert) McKenzie

Karen Elizabeth McKenzie age 80, of Barry IL, was called to her eternal home on Friday
October 8, 2021.  She was born on March 5, 1941 in Dyer, Tennessee to William Selby and Ruby Elizabeth Embree.  She married the love of her life William Michael McKenzie on June 23, 1963 and he survives.  

Karen grew up in Moberly, MO and graduated from Moberly High School.  Karen met Mike at the North Park Baptist church in Moberly, MO at the age of ten.  That is where their strong commitment to the Lord began.  After they married, Karen became the epitome of a great Pastor’s wife.  Over the years she served many roles in the church.  She was the church pianist, taught Sunday School, Children’s Church and led numerous women and youth groups.  For the past ten years she has been a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Plainville.  Karen was not only a wonderful mother to her own children, but she was  “everyone’s” mom, always welcoming and feeding anyone who came through her door.  She was a great cook, crafter, a talented seamstress, and an avid knick knack collector.  Karen also had a great sense of humor that she passed on to her family.  Karen’s grandchildren were like jewels in her crown that made her life even better. She was a graceful, elegant woman who was Holy and loved her God.  She was the perfect example of a Proverbs 31 wife. “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Karen is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, William Michael McKenzie of  Barry, IL; two sons; David McKenzie of Carterville, IL, and Douglas (Kathy) McKenzie of St. Charles, MO; two daughters, Amy (Shane) Parrish of Florissant MO, and Debra Ulrich of Arthur, Iowa; one son-in-law Allen Flynn of Barry, IL; fourteen grandchildren, Katelyn McKenzie, Cole McKenzie,  Kelsie (Keenan) Sappington, Alexis (Dan) Williams, Jordan Flynn, Chrissy (Jeremy) Stevens, Ashley (Travis) Webb, Jason (Emily) Beger, Kaela Beger, Kyle Beger, Lil Ashley Painter, Madison (Ryan) Saldana’, Marlee Parrish, Mia Parrish, Sierra Schmidt; 16 great grandchildren, Haylee Sappington, Addison Sappington, Elijah Sappington, Bryar Sappington, Ariella Williams, Mireya Williams., Annabelle Stephenson, Joshua Stephenson, Elsie Webb, Noella Webb, Seth Painter, Jaxon Smith, Kora Smith,  Ryker Smith, Alexander Beger, and Kaeden Michalak; one brother Richard Wybert of Jackson, MO, one sister-in-law Betty Jean Guittar of Kansas City, MO, two nieces, Dana Pollock and Judy Larsen, two nephews, Christopher Wybert and Jonothan Wybert.

She was preceded in death by her parents one daughter, Meleah Joy Flynn on 7-7-2021, one brother William Wybert, one sister Bonita Barnes, 1 grandchild in infancy, 5 great grandchildren in infancy and mother and father-in-law M.J. and Buelah McKenzie.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday October 12, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Plainville, IL. Interment will follow at Park Lawn Cemetery in Barry, IL.  Visitation will be held on Monday October 11, 2021 from 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM at the Niebur Funeral Chapel in Barry, IL. Memorials are suggested  to be made to Vision for Children in honor of Karen.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com  Niebur Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.

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