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The family of Sheila Avalon Harrell McKenzie of Gulf Shores, Alabama is saddened to announce her passing on February 21, 2023 at the age of 69. She was born and raised in Oxford, graduated from Oxford High School in 1970, and moved to Tuscaloosa to further her education at The University of Alabama. Sheila began her real estate career in Selma before accepting a position with Kaiser Realty in 1985. She then moved her family to Gulf Shores. She devoted 30 years of her life to helping Kaiser Realty grow into a nationally recognized vacation rental company. Sheila’s coworkers describe her as a “a great pioneer to the island and helped make it what it is, along with being a mentor.” She was also a very active member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and Gulf Shores Lions Club. After retirement, she began studying to become an investigative genetic genealogist. One of her greatest joys was researching genealogy and genetics, or as she always said “chasing dead people”. She was an amateur botanist who loved flowers, plants and trees, and definitely had a “green thumb”. This love was passed down to her from her parents and grandparents. She loved birds and was an avid bird watcher. She was absolutely adored by all who were privileged to know her, and those who were lucky enough to be loved by her were truly blessed. She loved life, and loved and adored her children and especially her grandchildren even more. Sheila was truly beautiful inside and out, through and through, as well as highly intelligent, generous, the absolute definition of selfless and a literal Saint. Sheila is preceded in death by her parents Margie Talley and Andrew Wallace Harrell, her paternal grandparents Sally Brimer and Andrew Jackson Harrell, and maternal grandparents Oscar Talley and Gladys Tally Stone. She is survived by her beloved children, Kenneth Brooks McKenzie(Brooks)(Amy), Bain McKenzie Allgood (Shane), Extra special grandchildren Jackson McKenzie, Shelby McKenzie and South Bozeman. Her sisters Kim Mcconnon(Joe) and Susan Kemp. Niece Kara Mcconnon, nephews Patrick Mcconnon, Matthew Kemp(Naomi) great nieces Isabelle, and Juliette Kemp. Aunts Rebecca Freeman, Rachael Cobb, and Marilyn Harrell, as well as numerous cousins. There will be a graveside service at Forest Lawn Gardens on March 1, 2023 at 2 p.m. celebrating her life. Matthew Kemp will have the honor of reading the Eulogy. Pallbearers will be: Brooks McKenzie, Jackson McKenzie, Joe Mcconnon, Patrick Mcconnon, Shane Allgood, and South Bozeman. She passed on Fat Tuesday and would have demanded we sign off with: “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (let the good times roll) In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the National Genealogical Society in her memory.

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Sheila Avalon Harrell McKenzie

April 2, 1953 - February 21, 2023