Dr. Lusanne “Sandy” Lilly McKenzie passed away on September 15, 2022, at her home in Huntsville, AL. She was born February 16, 1945, in Franklin, KY to George Truett and Lucy Kummer Lilly. Sandy grew up in Murray, KY where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class at Murray High School. She graduated magna cum laude from Murray State University where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, Alpha Chi Honor Society, and was named Outstanding Senior Woman. Sandy graduated, with honors, from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine where she was a member of the medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. She completed her internship and residency at Vanderbilt before moving to Huntsville to practice Pediatrics and serve on the faculty of University of Alabama/Birmingham School of Medicine. Dr. McKenzie relocated to Mobile, AL where she joined the faculty of the University of South Alabama Medical School. After a few years, she returned to Huntsville to serve as Vice President/Medical Affairs at Huntsville Hospital. After being retired for several years, she returned to Vanderbilt to complete a residency in Psychiatry, which she practiced in Huntsville before retiring again in 2018.
She was an active member of Central Presbyterian Church, where she taught Bible studies and was involved in the Women’s Ministry. Sandy was also a part of two prayer groups, her beloved Morning Glories and Friday Friends, who became her family in Huntsville.
Preceded in death by her parents, Sandy is survived by her loving sister, Trudy Lilly Gardner of Pleasant View, TN and her beloved nephew, Daniel (Megan) Gardner of Pleasant View, and her adored niece, Lucy Gardner (Gene) Slusher of Lexington, KY. Her great-nephews, Truett and Bennett Gardner of Pleasant View, whom she loved dearly, also survive, as well as her many cousins.
Visitation with the family will be at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, 2320 Bob Wallace Avenue in Huntsville on Friday, September 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Her funeral service will take place on Saturday, September 24 at 11:00 A.M. at Central Presbyterian Church, 406 Randolph Avenue in Huntsville with Rev. Dr. Randy Jenkins officiating. Serving as Pallbearers are Daniel Gardner, Truett Gardner, Bennett Gardner, Gene Slusher, Chris Kummer, Douglas Gardner, Jamison Howard, and John Howard, Jr. Her Morning Glories and Friday Friends, along with dear friend, Susan Cloud, will sit as Honorary Pallbearers.
Burial and graveside service will take place on Sunday, September 25 at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in the Schweizer community of Simpson County, KY where her parents and German ancestors are buried. Daniel Gardner and the Morning Glories will officiate at this farewell to Sandy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sandy’s memory to Lincoln Village Ministry, 1110 Meridian St., N., Huntsville, AL, 35801, or to Central Presbyterian Church.
