Janie McKinzie Obituary

Janie Lee Crawford McKinzie, affectionately known as "Sweet" by her loving husband, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was a woman of grace, faith, warmth, strength, and generosity-whose presence and beautiful smile blessed every room she entered. The youngest of three children born to the late Frank and Julia Blackwell Crawford, Janie carried herself with dignity and compassion from an early age and enjoyed church and Bible study at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. She spent summers working in Ocean City, New Jersey with her Aunt Mary and was a proud graduate of Johnakin High School Class of 1963 in Marion, South Carolina, where she met the love of her life, Raymond McKinzie. In 1963, after graduating from high school, Raymond enlisted in the United States Army and Janie enrolled at LaMae Beauty Culture School in Winston Salem, North Carolina where she studied Cosmetology for two years and completed her program 1965. After graduation from cosmetology school, Janie returned to her hometown to work under the apprenticeship of stylist and local businesswoman, Mrs. Mildred Miles a dear family friend. Even through the distance, the love of Raymond and Janie never dwindled and on September 25, 1966, the two were married at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church by Reverend Henry McGill, Jr. in Marion, South Carolina. As a proud military wife, Janie faithfully supported her husband's career as Sgt. Raymond McKinzie served his country with honor. She accompanied him in his travels domestically and overseas, most notably to Okinawa, Japan. As a young, African American couple from the South, their early years were filled with travel and adventures. Janie was sent two blessings in 1974 and 1977, her beloved children Raymond Byron and Robbyn. In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, daughter, friend, and servant she embraced her role as grandmother, godmother, and mother-figure to many. She had a special gift for making people feel loved and welcomed, whether through a warm smile or a home-cooked meal. She faithfully attended and was a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina lending her time and heart to ministry and community. Most notably, Janie was a long-time member and former president of the Jubilee choir, member of the Antioch Women's Auxiliary (AWA), and Deaconess. She adored her family, loved her flowers, loved to fish with her husband, shop and cherished moments spent with friends of over 60+ years creating memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brother Willie; and beloved son, Byron. She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband, Deacon Sgt. (Ret.) Raymond McKinzie; her loving daughter, Robbyn Schlueter, son-in-law, Eric Schlueter, daughter-in-law, Joyce McKinzie, her treasured grandchildren, Gabrielle McKinzie, Nia McKinzie, McKinzie Middleton, Christopher "CJ" Middleton, Brittany Middleton, Marcus Schlueter, and Maya Schlueter; and her sister, Julia Bell Crawford; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, god children and lifelong friends, all of whom will dearly miss her. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Janie Lee Crawford McKinzie, please visit our floral store.