Adlena Topp McKenzie was the second child born to
Chapmon and Ella Mae Topp on September 30, 1939, in
Palmetto (Lee County) Mississippi. When she was a small
child, the family moved to Pontotoc County, Mississippi.
She graduated from Pontotoc Training Center and attended
Okolona Junior College where she received an associate
degree. She entered Jackson State College, as it was
known then, and received her Bachelor of Science degree in
Elementary Education.
Adlena started her professional career as a First-Grade
teacher at Pontotoc Attendance Center and taught there
until she moved to Jackson, MS. She taught at the
following: HeadStart, Jackson, MS, Crystal Springs
Elementary School, and Carver Elementary School in
Raymond. She retired from the education system with 37
continuous years of faithful service impacting the lives of
many children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George
McKenzie, her parents, Chapmon and Ella Mae Topp, and
one sister, Shirley Topp Johnson.
She leaves to cherish many fun memories her two
daughters, Georgette (Bartholomew) Ajulufoh, Oak Park,
MI, Phyllis (Michael) Thomas, Arlington, TN, five
grandchildren, Barrington Ajulufoh, Oak Park, MI, Dr.
Miranda Ajulufoh, Decatur, GA, Keegan Thomas,
Pensacola, FL, Jalan and Kaya Thomas, Arlington, TN; eight
siblings, Onnie Stevens, Jackson, MS, Vera Shack,
Overland Park, KS, Foster (Toyice) Hazlehurst, MS,
Earnesteen (Hugh) Foster, Myrtle, MS, John Topp and
friend Claudia Foster, Tupelo, MS, Dr. Bernell (John) Kelly,
Gulfport, MS, Annette Shine, San Diego, CA, and Alvin
(Yolanda) Topp, Tupelo, MS