Story and Photos by Marva J. Sneed
Family members, friends and community members celebrated the 105th birthday of Verna McKenzie with a Drive-By Birthday Extravaganza. A former teacher at John Neely Bryant Elementary School, she retired from DISD in 1978.
She was also the First Lady at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church, and Southern Crest Full Gospel Baptist Church.
Her cousin Jacqueline Bell was among the many who showed up to shower the “Birthday Girl” with cards and gifts. The Drive-By caravan was led by a local Corvette Car Club from Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School to the honoree’s home. Decorated cars lined the streets as drivers honked their horns, waved, clapped, and shouted well wishes and birthday expressions.
McKenzie said after the last car drove by and the drumline sang Happy Birthday to her, “You have made my year, not just my day, my Year.”
