H. Shelby McKenzie, 86, a resident of Varnado, was born January 27 1938, and passed away March 29, 2024. He was born in Pine, LA at the home of his parents, Hilton and Oda Lee Kennedy McKenzie.

Papa Shelby McKenzie worked at the Bogalusa Paper Mill for over 40 years before his retirement in 2001. Shelby, along with his wife Mary Lee, and late brother and sister in law, Ralph and Marion Pierce, owned and operated the Zesto for 58 years. He was also the owner of Mckenzie Lawn Service which led to a job with the Bogalusa Country Club. However, his first and favorite job was delivering Ford tractors for Galloway Tractor Company in Franklinton.

Shelby enjoyed being outdoors, you could usually find him on a tractor, on a lawn mower, or in one of his numerous red Ford trucks. He was an exceptionally hard worker and had a hard time telling anyone no. He enjoyed going on his annual hunting trips with his grandsons and never missed an event that involved a family member. He loved his family and enjoyed spoiling all the grandkids while taking trips to Walmart, the beach, and hunting in Wyoming, Colorado, and Oklahoma. Each morning you could find PaPa Shelby at Yoyo's making coffee for anyone who wanted to join before breakfast was even ready.

Shelby was a member of Stateline Missionary Baptist Church in Pine.

Shelby is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Lee Pierce Mckenzie, his daughters Madonna (Travis) Williams, and Hope (Charley) McGinn; his grandchildren Meagan (Cody) Carney, Taylor (Larke) Williams, McKenzie (Hunter) Thomas, Landen (Hannah) Williams, Jake Williams, Corblin McGinn, and his great grandchildren Caden, Shelbylee, Crockett, Creed, and Merritt Carney, Rawls and Mary Madelyn Thomas, Caleb, LillianElyse, Harlee, and Collier Williams. He is also survived by a sister Betty (Danny) Knight, and a brother Jerry (Theresa) McKenzie, as well as many other special nieces and nephews.

Granddaughter McKenzie and great-granddaughter Shelbylee McKenzie were both named after their Pawpaw Shelby.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hilton and Oda Lee McKenzie, his sister and brother in law Stella (Dick) Forbes.

To best honor Shelby, consider voting for his favorite president, or consider donating to the local church, school, or charity of your choice.

Pallbearers: His grandsons- Taylor Williams, Landen Williams, Jake Williams, Cody Carney, Hunter Thomas, and Caden Carney.

Honorary Pallbearers: Walter O'Berry, Charles Kennedy, Scott Pierce, Payton Knight, Derrick McKenzie, and Drake Pierce, and Corbin McGinn.

Funeral services will be held at Poole Ritchie Funeral Home (216 Alabama Avenue, Bogalusa, LA, 70427) on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 12:00 pm (noon). Burial will follow in Rester Cemetery - Varnado, LA. The family will receive friends and have visitation from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Monday evening and from 9:00 am until services Tuesday at the funeral home.