Michael C. Mckee

Michael Courtney McKee, known to many as “Big Mike” or “Chef Big Mike” was born on February 5, 1984 in Columbus, OH. He cherished his big brother Quan and two sisters, India and Hannah. Mike’s sweet spirit and affable smile would come to define his character.

Mike was a proud graduate of Northland High School. At Northland, he was the recipient of individual honors and recognition in football and powerlifting. Mike was considered the best offensive blocker and offensive and defensive tackle during his senior season at Northland High School and named to the First Team All City and All Ohio All-Star Team, 2002. He also won the Offensive Line Trophy, given to the outstanding interior lineman in high school football. Mike was a champion powerlifter in his sophomore and junior years while attending Groveport High School. Recently, Mike served as Lineman Coach for the Columbus Bobcats (2014-2019).

Mike attended Tennessee State University and Texas Southern University, making significant contributions to their athletic departments as a football player.

Mike married his sweetheart Joylena on April 5, 2011. They went on to have five children – Sterling Michael, Jackson Ray, MiJoy Veada, Boston Parker and Michael Cooper. He was always comforting, cheering and supporting to his children. Every picture with his family captured his big smile, excitement for family and enjoyment of life. Mike was a big teddy bear to everyone.

Mike had a great passion for cooking. An appreciation he gained from spending time watching his mother and grandmothers cook using seasonings and spices to change the taste and texture of dishes. With his passion, he obtained the Culinary Arts Professional Certificate from Columbus State Community College. Mike refined his culinary skills while working at Whole Foods, Hollywood Casino, Buckeye Crazy, and many other establishments where he prepared culinary dishes. His passion for the culinary arts led to his own private catering business, MiJoy Catering LLC and he was preparing to acquire a food truck. Everyone he touched could attest to his love of cooking and preparing meals for family reunions. His speciality was his barbeque strawberry sauce.

Mike is proceeded in death by his father, Michael Ray Granderson. His daughter, MiJoy Veada. Great grandparents, maternal grandfather, aunt, and uncles.

Mike is survived by Wife, Joylena; Children, Sterling Michael, Jackson Ray, Boston Parker and Michael Cooper; Mother Rozland (Dwight) Flax, Grandparents Betty McKee, Ernestine Granderson-Owens, and Huey Granderson, Siblings Quan McKee, India Granderson and Hannah Flax, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, relatives, and close friends. He will be remembered as one in a million.

Visitation 10:00 AM and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Friday, August 9, 2019 at Love Zion Baptist Church, 1459 Madison Avenue.

Interment Union Cemetery.