Austin Blake McKinney was a young man who loved to have fun, especially if it concerned motorbikes. His family related in jest that “he could keep two wheels on the ground, but not four”, noting that he could ride any motorbike with no problem but seemed to get into fender-benders anytime he got behind the wheel of a car. Austin Blake was creative and loved to use his creativity to engineer anything he could. Outgoing with loads of personality, he loved his family, son and girlfriend very much. He shared a special bond with his mother, Stephanie.
Austin was born on September 24, 1996 in Columbia, Tennessee to Mark Allen McKinney and Stephanie Diane Ketchum McKinney. He worked at Armada Nutrition in production of protein powders. He was a member of Scribner’s Mill Church of Christ.
Austin passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, Tennessee.
Left to cherish the memory of Austin are his parents: Mark Allen and Stephanie Diane McKinney; siblings: Mark Austin McKinney, Charles Allen McKinney and Mallori Ann McKinney; son: Mason Blake McKinney; girlfriend: Alissa Dani Salisbury; maternal grandparents: Jimmie and Evon Ketchum; maternal great-grandparents: Ralph and Sue Wilson; uncles: Shannon Ketchum and Larry Ray Collins; cousins: Emilee, Eryn, Montana and Kaitlyn; and several aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents: Joyce Ann McKinney and Thomas Larry McKinney; and grandmother: Janice Marie Collins.
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Austin will be held in the Chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Columbia on Monday, March 26, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with Joel Love and Jimmie Ketchum officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Sunday, March 25 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. also at the funeral home.
Mark Austin McKinney, Paul Campbell, Joseph Mendes, Hunter Osborne, Shannon Ketchum and Hunter Moser will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that any donations be made in the name of Austin Blake McKinney to First Farmers and Merchants Bank, Listerhill Credit Union or at Williams Funeral Home, P. O. Box 38, Columbia, Tennessee 38402. Accounts have been set up at both banking locations.
Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family and online condolences may be made to the family at www.williamsfh.com.
