Alice Burkhart McKenzie

Alice Burkhart McKenzie of Knoxville passed away on August 5, 2022, surrounded by a host of lifelong friends at her bedside. Alice endured a hard fought, and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on April 23, 1949, to the late Joseph H. McKenzie and Katherine Burkhart Fry and was raised by her loving grandmother, Sallie “Mama” McKenzie. In addition to her parents, Alice is preceded in death by her brothers, Joseph Michael McKenzie, and David Brent McKenzie.

She is survived by sister Cheryl Neal, nephew Wesley Ratcliff and niece Kelli Coker (John); sister-in-law, Sue Nolan McKenzie, nephews, Nolan Brent (Erin) and Patrick David (Emily); and sister-in-law, Judy McKenzie, niece Leann Marie (Jason) Harding and nephew Bradley Davis (Sarah K.) Johnson.

A Knoxvillian through and through, Alice attended West High School and earned both her B.S. and M.S. from the University of Tennessee. She was a beloved and respected teacher in the Knox County school system for 38 years teaching first at Park Junior, followed by stints at Belle Morris and Pond Gap elementary schools. Following her retirement from teaching, never a day went by that someone would approach her and say, “Is that you Ms. McKenzie?” Invariably, Alice would always remember the school and the student. Two of her most loved pupils were Reggie and Raleigh McKenzie (no relation). In her second career, Alice was a licensed private investigator and headed her own company, A Right Solution.

A proud Vol and Lady Vol supporter, she drove a young, first year head coach Pat (Head) Summitt on her inaugural recruiting trip for the Lady Vols to Cocke and Sevier counties. Nicknamed the “Godmother of Knoxville” by her many friends, she will be deeply missed by all.

Special thanks to Dr. David Chism and staff at Thompson Cancer Survival Center.

Family and friends will gather for a celebration of life from noon-2 p.m., on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Chesapeake’s West banquet hall, 9630 Parkside Drive in Knoxville. Casual attire please. Interment will be at Berry Highland Memorial. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the charity of your choice in Alice’s memory.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berryhighlandmemorial.com for the McKenzie family.