Louella McKinney's Obituary
“There is a home not made by hands eternal and on high; and here my spirit waiting stands, til God shall bid it fly. Shortly this prison of my clay must be dissolved and fall; then, O my soul, with Joy obeys Thy Heavenly Father’s call.” Our Heavenly Father called his own, Louella (Word) Mc Kinney to that home not made by hands, eternal and on high, June 28, 2019. Louella was born in Lincoln County, Fayetteville, Tennessee on February 1, 1917 to Alton Shull and Ella Word. Louella was raised by her grandparents, David Daniel and Mary Word. She married Lilbern “Jack” Mc Kinney and to this union there was one son born, John “Johnny LeMac” Lee Mc Kinney. They then moved to Albion, Michigan in March 1944. Louella professed a hope in Christ and was united with Leggett Chapel A.M.E Zion church in 1949 under Pastor, The late Reverend Earl E. Peterson. Louella was a faithful and active member in the church. She served as Chairwoman of the Trustees Board; she was the church pianist, stewardess, Temple Choir pianist, and director of the choir. She was also a member of the Albion International Club. She loved to play the piano and could play for hours. She loved music so much, she had her own piano and organ at home where she would play for visitors and practice for church services. Louella was a true woman of God and virtuous woman. She genuinely loved the Lord with all of her might and being. She trusted the Lord with everything she had and never faltered in her strong Faith in God. Her husband, Jack built the home they lived in on N. Albion Street from the ground up with his bare hands and she would never want to leave the home for too long. Louella and Jack would have people traveling from Tennessee to work at the Albion Malleable Iron Company here in Albion, Michigan. They could have as many as 10 - 20 people staying with them in their family home while they were in town to work. She and her nephew would cook breakfast, having pans of home-made biscuits (one of her specialties), eggs and bacon for everyone. In fact, she prepared lunch and dinner too! When it was time to eat, the men would run down the stairs to eat and then they would head back to work. There was nothing like receiving a home cooked meal from Mrs. Mc Kinney. She really loved to cook and eat! The more guests she could have around her table, the happier she would be. You couldn’t tell her that you weren’t hungry; she would make you wash your hands, sit down at the table and fix you a good helping of food for your soul (not forgetting her famous biscuits). Louella and Jack owned and rented several properties around Albion. Those tenants who are still around have nothing but good things to say about the Mc Kinney’s as their landlord. Some would go months without paying their rent and the Mc Kinney’s were very easy to work out an arrangement with their tenants. They even rented out their basement to families at one time or another. Louella also loved to drive “fast putting the petal to the medal,” as she would say. She and Jack traveled often. The two of them would jump in their car (which was usually a Chrysler) or their motorhome and travel all over the states visiting family and friends from Michigan to Florida, up to New Jersey then back to the Midwest. She would have plenty of food packed for the trip too! Louella was an elegant and classy woman, always a sharp dresser from head to toe, in her designer and tailored dresses, and suits with hat and tall boots to match. She didn’t go anywhere without putting on her clip-on earrings either, even if she was just going to sit on the porch. She was fine as wine, dressed to the nine! Louella loved laughing and cracking little jokes- some weren’t so funny but you couldn’t tell her that and you had to laugh with her. She was a real jokester 24/7. The Mc Kinney’s often hosted dinner and card parties in their home with friends, family and neighbors, as she loved to entertain at home. Louella loved everyone she met. She was always ready to help anyone who asked for it, particularly offering prayer for them. She would read her bible daily and every night, most nights weeping, crying out to The Lord. You would often find little tissues rolled up under her pillow. She comforted folks with her genuine loving spirit and there was always a sense of peace that surrounded her, so she had no problem keeping company. Most of all, Louella had a special and unmatched love for her husband and her son. Lilbern “Jack” Mc Kinney departed this life on November 4, 1979. John Lee McKinney passed away on October 17, 2010. Louella will be remembered by many for her beauty, loyalty, and the unconditional love she had for everyone. She was known by so many who called her, Mom, Mother, Mother Mc Kinney, Grand-mom, God-mom, Aunt-Lou, and Mrs. Mc Kinney. She will truly be missed by all those who were fortunate to have known this Queen. To know her was to love her! Mother Mc Kinney is survived by her 11 grand-children; Alan Brown, Michael Mc Kinney (Mary), Derek Williamson, Christopher Hatchett (Kim), Carmen “Renee” Mc Kinney, Kelly Crum (Derrick), Dawn Washington (Michael), William Harrison, Johnnie Mc Kinney, Jonathan Mc Kinney (Sommer), Derrick Mc Kinney; 14 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; God-daughter, Hillary Williams; her dear niece Mother Alma Mitchell; nephews Lloyd Mitchell (Joanne), Robert Edmonson II (Ellen); great niece, Chizuyo Kurtz; great nephew, Michael Mitchell; beloved longtime friends; Shirley Davenport (Mark), Brenda Davis (Tony), a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Preceding her in death are her parents, siblings, loving husband Jack, loving son Johnny, granddaughter; D’ett Mc Kinney, grandsons Vincent Joplin, Sr. and Lamont Patterson, her beloved friend Eunice A. Morris and other close relatives and friends.
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