Lee McKinzy

Reverend Lee Elaine McKinzy was born on July 19, 1985, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, to Lee Ethel Howell and Larry Eugene McKinzy Sr., with bonus father Bryan Christopher Howell. Educated in the KCK school district, she was affectionately known as Ms. Tudi. From a young age she found joy in family and a wide range of activities, singing in the choir and participating in basketball, track and field, co-ed baseball, softball, and volleyball.

She united with Timothy Baptist Church under Pastor Louis D. Sipple, later becoming a member of The Rock @ Stony Point Church of the Nazarene under Pastor Judy B. Sanders in 2009. In August 2014 she continued her membership under Dr. Lee Ethel Howell. A proud graduate of Wyandotte High School, she earned a certificate in childcare from AVTS and went on to establish and operate more than ten childcare businesses across the KC and KCK metro area. She later received an associate degree in youth ministry and a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies. Just three weeks before her passing, she was licensed as a reverend by the Church of the Nazarene.

Tudi was a devoted entrepreneur, businesswoman, singer, songwriter, educator, and mentor who touched countless lives through her caring presence. She consistently placed the needs of others before her own, offering support and comfort even during her own trials, never complaining and always ready to ease someone else’s burden.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother Ethel Mas Grant-Jiles, paternal grandmother Lucille Fritz McKinzy, maternal grandfather Lee Drew Combs Sr., paternal grandfather LC McKinzy Sr., and many beloved aunts, uncles, and great-aunts and uncles.

Lee Elaine McKinzy leaves to cherish her memory her parents Lee Ethel Howell, Bryan Christopher Howell, and Larry Eugene McKinzy Sr.; her children Kayon, Glenn, Kaylenn, and Donald; her siblings Larry McKinzy Jr., Ks, Larry Cox, Tyrone Cox, and Gail Cox of CA; along with a large and loving extended family of aunts, uncles, great-aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, godchild, sister-in-loves, special cousins, a dear friend, and many other relatives and friends.