Mr. Thomas Elbroy McKinney Sr.

Thomas Elbroy McKinney, Senior was born on December 20, 1922 in Chickasaw County, Houston, Mississippi to Joseph Emmitt McKinney and Julia Crawford McKinney. He was the fifth child of eleven. He passed away peacefully in his home on August 15, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He attended the public schools in Houston Mississippi and later moved with his family to Jackson Tennessee in 1943, where he lived and worked on the family farm until he moved to Saint Louis, Missouri in 1947. In 1950, Thomas met and married Kathleen Jones in Saint Louis. This union produced six children: Thomas Jr. (Juney), Karen, Juankee (Kee), James Patrick (Pat), Anthony (Bo) and Kathleen (Bubbles) McKinney. Thomas was a wonderful father who was actively involved with his children. In 1969, Thomas met Ernestine Mabels. They moved to Jackson, Tennessee in 1974 where they were married in 1975. This union was built on a love for God, family and church. They remained in this committed relationship until Ernestine passed in 2023. He was employed as a driver for the Sheraton Jefferson Hotel and Old Warson Country Club in St Louis. When he retired from the Sheraton-Jefferson, he was the Supervisor of the hotel garage. After retiring he returned to his family home in Jackson Tennessee where he worked as a bus driver for the Jackson Public Schools and ran the family farm. He grew crops and raised livestock on his family farm which he generously shared with neighbors and friends. He loved gardening and was known for having the best “greens” in the area. Thomas was well loved and respected by the Jackson community. He was actively involved in Christian beliefs from an early age and was a very devout and committed church member throughout his life. As a young man he attended, The Tabernacle of David the House of Israel. Upon moving to St. Louis Missouri, he attended Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church and Hopewell Baptist Church. After moving back to Tennessee, he and his wife Ernestine moved their memberships to Historic First Baptist Church where he was a member at the time he transitioned from this life. He served in numerous capacities. He was a Sunday school Superintendent, Deacon and bus driver for the church. Additionally, he planted and maintained a community garden as well as the church lawn. He was truly committed and a blessing in his church community. He was preceded in death by his wife Ernestine Mabels McKinney; Children: Thomas McKinney Jr, James Patrick McKinney and Kathleen McKinney; Parents: Joseph and Julia McKinney; Siblings: Leroy McKinney (Betty) , Bradford McKinney, Aaron McKinney (Betty), Samuel McKinney, Joe McKinney, James McKinney (Annie), Otherene McKinney, Deltha Bond(Wake) and Ebbie Lanier (Earl). Among those cherishing his memory are his children: Karen McKinney-Brown (Ernest), Juankee McKinney, Anthony McKinney (Maxine); brother, Kurl McKinney (Ruth) Stepsons: William McKinney, John McKinney; grandchildren; Tracie McKinney, Answan Johnson (Monica), Keneisha Morris, Ernest Brown, Jr. (Crystal), Darwin Stevenson and Patrick McKinney-Rankin and twelve great-grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, members of Historic First Baptist Church and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Thomas Elbroy McKinney Sr.

December 20, 1922 - August 15, 2024