Connie Jean McKenzie was born January 28, 1952, in Paintsville to Edna Earl Griffith McKenzie and Ervin Wade McKenzie. Being the middle child of that union she always told her sisters that she was the one that always got picked on because Mom and Dad didn't pick on the oldest or the youngest.

She departed this life February 12, 2025, at the age of 73 years and 15 days, where she entered into her new mansion that Jesus Christ had gone to prepare just for her. She now has everlasting happiness, no pain, no sorrow just everlasting happiness in the present of Jesus Christ her Savior.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin Wade McKenzie and Edna Griffith McKenzie, her in-laws; that she loved as parents, Freddie & Junice Scarberry, two brother-in-laws, Ernest Ray Scarberry and Harold Jean Hall and one sister-in-law, Shirley Scarberry. She was also preceded in death by several Aunts and Uncles, one being a very special Aunt, Shellie Griffith.

Connie is survived by her husband of 53 years, 11 months and 29 days, Clarence Scarberry. She is also survived by one Daughter, Christa Lynn Scarberry Kelly of Georgetown, one son-in-law, Jesse Kelly, and one grandson, Luke Allen Kelly of Georgetown. Two Sisters, Carolyn Keeton and her husband Paul of West Liberty, and Cathy Hall of Staffordsville. Also surviving are one niece, Gina Hall Holbrook and her husband Bill of Paintsville, four nephews, John Franklin Crum and his wife, Tonya of Nicholasville, Timothy Keeton and his wife, Lorelei of West Liberty, Matthew Keeton and Rita of West Liberty, Aaron Keeton and his wife, Tiffany of West Liberty, two sister-in-laws, Joann Meek and her husband Whitey of Nippa, and Sandra Crum and her husband Frankie of Richmond, along with a host of great nieces, nephews and friends.

As the Johnson County School System combined all of the County High Schools into one, Johnson Central High School, Connie was part of the first graduating Class of 1969. After graduating she began working at Home Cash Grocery Store on Main Street and she caught the eye of a young man whom she began dating. On Christmas, December 24, 1970, Clarence Scarberry asked her to marry him. She said YES and knowing that Valentine's Day was coming up, she began to plan for a Valentine Day Wedding instead of the customary June wedding, she wanted a Church Wedding with a wedding cake and reception. At that time the Church didn't have a fellowship meeting room and she asked Clarence's Mother if she could have the reception at her house and of course Junice said yes.

So, on a cold, snowy February day, Sunday, February 14, 1971, Valentine's Day and her fiancée Birthday, Connie was joined in Holy Matrimony to Clarence Scarberry by the Reverend Ellis Hamilton, here at the Tom's Creek Free Will Baptist Church.

After a short stay on Franks Street in town, Connie and Clarence moved to Nippa, where they continue to live. Connie always called Nippa home, never wanting to move any where else.

During a revival that was being conducted at the Sitka Free Will Baptist Church by Reverend James Kelly Caudill and Reverend Bill Meadow, Connie gave her life to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was baptized at the Sitka Free Will Baptist Church and joined Tom's Creek Free Will Baptist Church on November 16, 1975, and never looked back.

Due to some medical issues no children were born to this union early on, BUT on April 21, 1978, at 3:33 pm a baby girl, Christa Lynn Scarberry, was born to this union. This was one of her happiest days as she wanted a child so much.

As Christa began to get a little older, Connie recognized the fact that Christa need to be exposed more to the Word of the Lord and Connie knew that she needed to be more involved with teaching kids about Jesus Christ. When an opening became available, Connie along with Cookie McClure volunteered for Teachers of the Primary age Sunday School Class. Soon thereafter Connie took on the role as Vacation Bible School Director, and had that position for 40 years. Connie truly enjoyed working with the youth but due to increasing health issues she had to give up both positions. One special event she planned for the youth was when they went to Channel 3's TV Station in Huntington, West Virginia to be on the Mr. Cartoon show with "Jule Huffman" and Beeper. The top hit was when James Kelly sat in Beeper's lap for photos.

Connie was also a member of the Tom's Creek Women Active for Christ. Somehow, she said she didn't know how she got the job, stepped into the role of dinner planning for special occasions and funerals. She assisted with planning for the 125th Church Anniversary activities and the design of the Fellowship Center kitchen. She was also involved with the apple pie baking for Apple Day and the chocolate Easter Eggs for Easter, she help decorate the eggs. She enjoyed driving the Church van and taking the women to Amish Country and to Biltmore Estates. She also enjoyed the trip with the seniors, before she even became a senior, to Pigeon Forge where she went several times even without Clarence. She truly enjoyed talking and fellowshipping with her friends.

Connie was very talented with drawing and baking. She developed a small business known as Connie's Cakes. She baked and decorated numerous characters and wedding cakes. Just recently, a friend was describing the best cake he ever ate as a "Connie Cake". She gave up her cake baking business due to her hands becoming weak and Christa being gone to college and only home on weekends, which was her busiest time. Although she knew she would probably never be able to do cakes again, she packed up all her supplies and said maybe some day I can do a few.

Connie loved to cook for her family at Thanksgiving and Christmas. At the last dinner she had for her family, there were 36 members eating all at the same time.

Connie also worked with the Youth of the Johnson County 4-H programs for many years. Although it didn't matter where the programs took them, her main enjoyment was 4-H Summer Camp. She saw young boys and girls whom had never stayed away from home become young men and women who help each other through crisis and mentoring to the younger group.

Another special day for her was May 10, 2006, when Christa and Jesse made her a Grandmother, Luke Allen Kelly was born. When she was asked what "do you want him to call you", she ALWAYS said "I don't care". When Luke began to talk Connie's name made a drastic change, not to Grandmother, Mamaw, or anything like that, but changed to GAMMIE. This was a name that she was proud of and carried the remaining of her life with PRIDE. When Luke was young and Gammie was still in good health, it just took one cough for her to head to Lexington to babysit. In May 2024, she got to see Luke graduate Scott County High School and in August he began a new journey at the University of Louisville majoring in Nursing. Luke and Gammie had a relationship like no other. They would text each other often and when he began working nightshift at the hospital, their communication was often through the night hours. Luke's love of food and cooking surely came from his Gammie. He would often call her for food advice, once in the middle of the night he called her for her deviled egg recipe.

Gammie had a large heart that was filled with love for numerous people. She had a little larger spot in her heart for a few special people. When Gammie's health began to decline she came in contact with Betty Slone. They became instant Friends. Betty helped with her house work, decorating the house as the season's changed and bringing her breakfast for many years. Faith Ferguson and Gammie developed a loving, no holds barred relationship with each other. They loved to gain up on Donovan and Chris as a team, and they took no prisoners. Gammie would tell Faith now "You Will HAVE To Handle Them By Your Self". Todd Smokey Daniel came into her life at a very young age and they developed a very special love for each other. Gammie told Smokey's parents and others that if she could, she would adopt him and truly meant it.

During her years at Tom's Creek Church and other places she made numerous good friends. Just to name a few that have gone on ahead, Alice Jewell Stambaugh, Edna Grace Caudill, Denise Wells, Carolyn Meadows, and Terry Trimble.

While we the family didn't want to give her up, we know that she is without pain and not walking with the walker. We also know that her desire while here on earth was to bring comfort and happiness to as many as possible. Regardless of how much pain she was in or what she had to do for herself, she always put others first.

We wonder what was the meeting was like Wednesday morning with Jesus Christ and all her family and friends whom preceded her.

Gammie's Family would like to thanks the men from the W R Castle Fire Department, Paintsville Ambulance Service for their help on Tuesday and the staff of the ARH Paintsville Hospital ICU for doing everything they could to keep our Gammie here.

Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 15, 2025 in the Toms Creek Free Will Baptist Church with James Kelly Caudill and Chuck Slone officiating. Burial will follow in the Scarberry Cemetery, Nippa, Kentucky. Friends may visit the Jones-Preston Funeral Home Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday, February 14, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 1:00 p.m. at Toms Creek Free Will Baptist Church.

Jones-Preston Funeral Home is both Honored and Privileged to be Entrusted with all funeral arrangements for Mrs. Connie Jean McKenzie Scarberry.