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.
Wishing the family of Michael McKee prayers, love and support at a time like this. Mikey will always be remembered and loved by so many. May he Rest In Peace.
God Bless
Rest in Heaven Chef Big Mike aka my Plummer! I will always love you and I’m going to miss my dance partner. But I’ll hold it down with the dancing and I’ll continue to be here for Joy and the boys. We love and miss your dancing, cooking and handling that Football. love, Tabby or as you would call me Pony!
I know you have many photos to help comfort in such a time as this. I pray that our Almighty Father will wrap you all with His Loving Arms and Keep you in Perfect Peace as only He can do. We all have an appointed hour to which we will not be late. Therefore, this is not the end because we all will see every single loved one lost again at our appointed hr. Our Sincere Love from the Lyle Family in Detroit.
My prayers go to the family and close friends. I’m so sorry for your loss. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” Matthew 5:4.
My deepest condolences go out to all of you. Wife, parents, children, family and friends. I will keep you all in prayer. My heart cries out for you.
My prayers going out to you an your family , love u joy ,felicia , it’s going to be ok god is watching over you an your kids , sorry again for your lost my prayers God’s with u a long way. I know how u fill I hurt everything but god with me each an everyday I loss 3 back to back an he’s with me guiding me through it
I love you Michael and you will always be BIG Mike!!! These last 12 years you have taught me so much and we shared many laughs and good times and Good Food! Love your Rosey ~Nesh
My friends bar you just a big teddy bear love you brother. I can write one million pages and it won’t be enough I’m closing my eyes and smiling cause GOD got you and GOD has your family and your Beautiful children. Rest In Peace
Your brother your friend forever in my thoughts brother peace
Praying for God’s strength during this time of loss of your loved one. Our condolences.
Jimmie & Wanda Williams
Sending our condolences for you and your family.
Words will seem meaningless so please know that I’m thinking of the family constantly. You have my deepest sympathies
Prayers to Mike’s family and friends during this difficult transition.
So sorry for your loss, my grandson BJ and the team Bobcats will really miss Mike. To the family, just hang in there and stay strong .
So sorry to hear of your loss. Love and prayers to you all. Keep your head up India.
Please accept my sincere condolences! I only knew Mike to be a very nice person. May God wrap his family in his arms and give you the love and strength you need to get through this tragic time.
Sending my condolences to the entire family. I had the pleasure of enjoying Michael’s food in the past, and he had the gift of cooking! Praying for you all.
I can’t believe you gone, I still got messages in my phone from you. Mike you will be truly missed man, My condolences to the family. Nobody can replace Mike, only time can God can get us past this
So sad for the family such awesome young man May god bless your Family
Man I can’t, believe this but your in good hands now with god and hope u looking from above finally at peace!!gonna miss you man!!!
Our deepest condolences to your entire family, friends and colleagues and we will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers and may God give you all the strength to carry on. May Michael rest in peace and continued comfort to all those left behind for now until one day reunited.
Deepest sympathies,
The Cain Family
Big Mike my brother & teammate. I appreciate you being you, and giving me all the guidance and wisdom on and off the field. My heart and prayers are with the family. God bless you all.
I’m so sorry for ur loss. He was a great man. God bless u all. Fly high Mike
man i love you; get up there and cook the father, the son, and the holy ghost i meal like they have never had; only you could.
Heartbroken that you are not here. You were a great dude! Best chef and awesome teammate in football. Gonna miss you bro! I promise to take ya little men to an Ohio Bobcat game in Athens on the sidelines. Love you Big Mike!
Ros we the the Brown share our sincere condolence to you and your entire family,God is good and he only takes the best..you raise a very good son and it showed on a daily basis and the the people that encountered him…job well done,he was everything to me and Boots Thank you for such a beautiful son.
May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief please except our sincere condolences.
Quan:
You and your family are in my prayers and I pray for your strength and peace during this time.
May the Lord surround His arms around each of you. Rozland, my prayers are with you, with Love!
Big mike, I will miss your beautiful smile and your big teddy bear hugs. So many memories even for me of you.. forever loved and forever missed
ELDER WILLIAM & ROSE BLACK OUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY WITH SADNESS AT THE TRAGIC LOSS OF YOUR LOVE ONE!!! KNOW THAT OUR LORD WILL COMFORT AND HOLD YOU IN HIS LOVING ARMS AS YOU GO THROUGH THIS DIFFICUL TIME❤
To the McGee family,
I offer my most humblest and sincere condolences. Prayers for strength and peace during this tough time.
Rest In Peace Mike. May God embrace your soul in heaven.
May God wrap his loving arms of comfort around you now and in the days to come. Rozland, I love you and will be praying for you and your family..❤️
Roz and Family please accept my most deepest condolences in the passing of your love one. May God wrap his arms around each and everyone of you and give you the comfort you will need to get through this most difficult time. Love and Prayers to All.
Hopefully time heals the griefing..I hope the family United and fight..to have better days