Fred McKenzie

Fred (Freddie) Andrew McKenzie, 74, of Christiansburg, Virginia formerly of Princeton, West Virginia, entered the gates of Chapter Invisible on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at his home under the care of his silhouette, Barbara Palmer McKenzie. He was a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Brother McKenzie was born on Monday, January 29, 1945, to the late Joe and Viola Forney McKenzie. He was preceded in death by one brother, John W. Hairston, SR, five sisters, Ruby Jean Taylor, Rose Norwood, Sylvia Hairston, Sarah Hairston, and Margaret Billups. He leaves a cherished legacy, his daughter, Freddie’ Nicole McKenzie-Barnes, granddaughter, N’Dia Cyaeir Braxton, and three grandsons, Nylan Kristofer Childress, Derrick (DJ) Barnes, JR, and Del’Kwon Barnes, all of Christiansburg, Virginia.

Brother McKenzie attended Bluefield State College where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology. Additionally, he earned his master’s degree in counseling, guidance, and industrial relations, and completed graduate work at the University of Michigan, Northeastern University, and Rutgers University.

A dedicated community leader, he served in numerous leadership roles and had many accomplishments including membership in the local Montgomery County, Radford City, and Floyd County (MRF) Branch 7092 of the NAACP, holding the position of legal redress chair, executive committee board member-at-large, and was a Golden Heritage Life Member. McKenzie was initiated in 1964 at Bluefield State College into the Alpha Tau Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. At the alumni level, he served in multiple positions, including polemarch, of both the Charleston West Virginia Alumni Chapter and, later on, the Roanoke Virginia Alumni Chapter.

An active and very well-respected member of St. Johns Lodge No. 35 (Christiansburg, Virginia) of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia, McKenzie held multiple titles and was also previously involved in other lodges in West Virginia and New Jersey.

An advocate of mankind and human justice, McKenzie was dedicated to helping his fellow man and lending a helping hand with council and advice. He previously served as Deputy Mayor, Third Ward Councilman, and Councilman at Large of Franklin Township, Somerset NJ. He also served on the Franklin Township Board of Education from 1993 to 2000.