Connie Evelyn Daily McKinney of Muscle Shoals, age 86, passed away Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, after suffering a stroke.
Connie was a 1946 graduate from Cherokee Vocational High School, continued her education, and became a home economics graduate of Florence State Teachers College (now UNA) where she was an active member of the Baptist Student Union. After graduation, she became home demonstration agent for Franklin County, which was a position with the extension service of Auburn University. There she used her home economics training to spread the concepts of proper budgeting and meal planning, modeled new appliances, and even hosted her own weekly radio show on the subject.
After marrying Chester L. McKinney Sr. and beginning a family, she continued her interests by being very involved in the Highland Park Garden Club where she never saw a garden or plant bed she did not like. Also, during this time she became a Sunday school teacher for young married classes at Woodward Avenue Baptist Church where she again shared her passion for home economics and family life for years to come; all the while providing book keeping/accounting services to the family businesses and raising the family.
Later she and “Chet” enjoyed traveling the world where they achieved reaching five continents and seeing, before the internet had even dawned, many of the sights known to most only by pictures and writings.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Lou Ellar Daily, husband, Chester L. McKinney Sr., her middle son, Steve W. McKinney, two sisters, and two brothers.
She is survived by two sons, Chester McKinney Jr. (Jenny) and Joe McKinney (Genia), and a daughter, Beth McKinney, and Steve’s wife, Lisa McKinney. In addition, she is survived by four grandchildren, Chet III, Duncan, Colton, and Sydney McKinney. She is also survived by a large number of nieces and nephews as well as a host of other “children” whether related or not and other grandchildren, again whether or not related to her or each other. She was mother and grandma to many.
Visitation will be Friday Jan. 23, 2015, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. Visitation and the funeral will be at Woodward Avenue Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals with a graveside service to follow at Colbert Memorial Gardens. One of her nephews, Brother Glenn Daily, will be conducting the services. Pallbearers will be Chet McKinney III, Duncan McKinney, Colton McKinney, Steve Mask, Terry Rogers, and Carlos Rodriguez.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Palliative Care Unit at ECM hospital for their care and kindness during her last hours.
In lieu of flowers the family would like to ask support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to UNA Foundation, c/o Connie McKinney Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 5113, Florence, AL 35632.
