Mrs. Ernestine Mables McKinney

Ernestine “Tina” Mables McKinney was born on August 5, 1934 in East St. Louis, Illinois. She departed to eternal life on October 27, 2023 at her home. Ernestine was raised by her loving Uncle Charlie and Aunt Marjorie Mabry. She and her Aunt Marjorie moved to St. Louis, Missouri after the passing of her Uncle Charlie in 1960. Ernestine received her elementary and secondary education in the East St. Louis area school system. She graduated from Lovejoy High School in Brooklyn Illinois, class of 1953. Her efforts toward higher learning were unchangeable through the years of her adult life, as she continuously pursued her career objectives. Her goal was to become an elementary school teacher, working with children who she loved so dearly. While pursuing her goals, she worked in customer service and accounting for Sears Department Stores in St. Louis, Missouri as well as Memphis, Tennessee. She became an employee for the Jackson Public Schools working as a school bus driver and later a substitute teacher. Her sure determination and hard work lead to her receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Lane College at the age of sixty-three. Ernestine was initiated into the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Beta Chi Chapter in 1995. Upon graduation, she became a teacher at Toone Elementary School, working there until she retired in May 2004. In 1969 Ernestine met the love of her life, Thomas McKinney, Sr. in St. Louis, Missouri. He came as a package deal with his six children. Loving children as she did, she saw this as a gift. In 1975 they were joined in holy matrimony after moving to his home town, Jackson, TN. This union was built on a love for God, family and Church. They moved their membership from Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO to Historic First Baptist Church, Jackson, TN. Ernestine was an active and dedicated member until she departed this life. Her active participation included but not limited to singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school and accounting. Ernestine was preceded in death by her uncle and aunt, Charlie and Marjorie Mabry; step-sons, Thomas McKinney, Jr. and James McKinney; step-daughter, Kathleen McKinney; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Julia McKinney; brother-in-laws, Leroy McKinney (Betty), Bradford McKinney, Aaron McKinney (Betty), Samuel McKinney, Joseph McKinney, Jr., James McKinney (Annie); and sister-in-laws, Otherine McKinney, Deltha Bond (Wake), Ebbie Lanier (Earl). Among those cherishing her memory are her husband:,Thomas McKinney Sr.; brother-in-law Kurl McKinney (Ruth); stepdaughters: Karen McKinney-Brown (Ernest) and Juankee McKinney; stepson::Anthony McKinney (Maxine); step-grandchildren, Tracie McKinney, Antwan Johnson (Monica),Keneisha Morris, Ernest Brown, Jr. (Crystal) and Darwin Stevenson and Patrick McKinney-Rankin; and twelve step-great-grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., members of Historic First Baptist Church and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Ernestine Mables McKinney

August 5, 1934 - October 27, 2023