Joevondel C McKenzie peacefully transitioned in her sleep on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, after a courageous four-year battle with ALS. She was 68 years old.

Born at the family home in Thomasville, Georgia, on July 8, 1957, Joevondel was the eldest of six children born to Robbie L Farmer and Willie L Farmer. She entered the world with the help of midwife Helen Bass, beginning a life defined by resilience, creativity, independence, and love.

One of her fondest childhood memories was spending time with her beloved grandmother, Carrien Woodruff, whose gentle spirit deeply influenced her life. Even as a little girl, Joevondel’s imagination and homemaking spirit shined brightly—she often turned the family sofa upside down to create her own little house.

As the child of a military family, Joevondel attended several schools throughout her youth in multiple cities before graduating from Thomasville High School in 1976. This year would have marked her 50th class reunion—the same school from which her grandson Kameran proudly graduated this year.

Joevondel later attended Fort Valley State College, where she majored in Home Economics, a fitting path for someone whose creativity and appreciation for beauty touched every aspect of her life. She had a remarkable gift for creating warm and welcoming spaces and was known for hosting splendid events filled with thoughtful detail, elegance and love.

Of the many roles she held throughout her life, one of her most cherished was her decades-long service as office registrar with Project Head Start, where she lovingly supported countless children and families. In 1993, she became a Certified Case Manager through the University of Georgia School of Social Work. That same year, she was recognized for Outstanding Service to Project Head Start and later honored as Employee of the Month.

Joevondel was loved deeply and lived fully. Her first love was Aaron James Williams, with whom she shared her beloved daughter. She later married Michael Randall with whom she was married for seven years and together they welcomed their son. Love continued to find her, and she later married James Alphonso McKenzie, with whom she shared twenty years of marriage until his passing on June 19, 2023.

Her greatest joys were found in her family and in the generations that followed her. She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Kisha L. Williams and Antione T. Randall; her beloved grandchildren, Ariel Brooks, Ashley Williams, Kameran Randall, and Kaibry Randall; her Aunt Agnes Taylor; her siblings Vanessa (Carl) Gamble, Esther Louise (Edward) Caldwell, Willie (Tanja) Farmer, Robert Farmer, and Angela (Fred) Johnson; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, beloved colleagues and dear friends, including her best friend and co-worker Dorothy “Knapp” Herring and her devoted caregiver Jocelyn Knight.

Joevondel described herself as “self-sufficient” and “the original independent woman.” She took pride in knowing that whatever she set her mind to accomplish, she achieved. She was remembered for her straightforward nature and authenticity. In her own words: “What you see is what you get. Either you like me or you don’t.”

Though ALS brought many challenges, Joevondel never lost appreciation for those who stood beside her. One of her final wishes was to express heartfelt gratitude to everyone who prayed for her, called, visited, checked on her, and surrounded her with love during her illness. Every kind word, every visit, and every act of care meant more to her than words could express.

Her life was one of strength, creativity, honesty, and enduring love. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her spirit will continue to live on in the family she cherished, the lives she touched, and the beautiful memories she leaves behind.