A celebration of service was held recently at the Georgetown Housing Authority for Dorothy McKenzie.

McKenzie was the Board of Commissioners Chairman for the Georgetown Housing Authority for 18 years.

She attended Morris College and studied Elementary Education receiving her Bachelor’s degree.

After graduation she continued her studies at South Carolina State and taught school in the Georgetown schools from 1953-1987.

She touched the lives of hundreds of children.

She taught at Parkersville Elementary, Plantersville Elementary and Maryville Elementary schools.

McKenzie also served on the Georgetown Disabilities Board in 1994.

Mayor Jack Scoville Jr. spoke at the celebration and thanked McKenzie for her many years of service.

Georgetown Housing Coordinator Helen Rudolph talked about McKenzie being a devoted mother, wife, and community leader.

“Whenever the need arrived Ms. McKenzie was there,” Rudolph said.

“She’s the bridge that brought me over.”

Christina Woodruff, executive director of the Georgetown Housing Authority, presented McKenzie with a glass plaque.

“Three things I learned from Ms. McKenzie are dignity, grace, and a great wealth of knowledge,” Woodruff said.

Woodruff unveiled a poster dedicating the children’s gardening program to McKenzie and named it the Dorothy McKenzie Children Gardening Program.

Many well-wishers were on hand and a reception was held after the program.

By Rounette Johnson

For The Times