Wallace Frank McKenzie

Wallace Frank McKenzie, age 94, of McComb, passed away peacefully Monday, January 26, 2026 at his residence surrounded by loved ones. Visitation was Friday January 30, from 9AM until services at 11AM all at Silver Creek Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Bro. Donnie Coker officiated and Bro. Trent Moak did special readings. Hartman-Jones Funeral Home of McComb was in charge of the services.

Wallace was born to the late William Felder and Lena Mae McGuire McKenzie on December 31, 1931 and was the 2nd of 6 children born to this union. He had fond memories of growing up in Fernwood with siblings and cousins that lived close by. During the Korean conflict, Wallace served with the National Guard. When railroading was more prevalent in Pike County, Wallace began working for FC & G Railroad (which happened to run very close to his parents' home). While working for the railroad Wallace met his bride to be Hattie Lorraine Jarrell while she was working as a waitress in Columbia. They dated and married on March 26, 1954. Together they spent 71 years living this adventure together we call life. In these years, they experienced many things but Wallace always enjoyed watching things grow. While still in their early years of marriage, they lived in Fernwood and raised sheep, a garden, and their kids. Later, they found property further in the country and decided milk cows was the next great adventure. So, as a growing family, they purchased a house that needed love, land that needed attention, and cows that needed milking. That's how Top-Notch Farm began. With hard work and dedication from everyone, the house became a home, and the land and cows became something to be more than proud of.

Wallace and Hattie have 5 sons of their own, but their home was always open to anyone that needed a home for however long they needed it. Some came for a short time, others for longer, but all became and still are family.

Wallace was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 siblings Annie Mae McKenzie Allen and Walter Atley McKenzie.

He is survived by his wife Hattie J. McKenzie; 5 sons Richard (Rebecca), Charles (Jackie), Randy (Renee), Barry (Barbara), and Gary (Christina); a brother Jack McKenzie; 2 sisters Leila M. Dunn and Susan M. Woods; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; along with numerous other relatives and friends.