Howard McKinney
June 4, 1940 ~ July 18, 2015
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Howard S. McKinney, Sr, 75, passed away Friday, July 17, 2015, at his home in the Riceville Community.
He was a native of Yancey County but resided in Buncombe County nearly all of his life. He was the son of the late Fred and Leel McInturf McKinney. He was pre-deceased by a sister, Shirley McKinney and three brothers, Bruce McKinney, Ernest McKinney and Clay McKinney.
He was a US Army veteran and retired as a meat department manager from Ingles Market in Swannanoa following 41 years of service. He was also a member of Black Mountain Church of God.
Mr. McKinney is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jo Ella Williams McKinney, two sons, H. Steve McKinney, Jr. of Asheville and Tim McKinney of Asheville; two grandsons Chase McKinney of Asheville and Blaine McKinney of Asheville and a great-grandson, Elijah Gage McKinney of Swannanoa. He is also survived by two brothers, Wallace McKinney of Maryland and Eddy McKinney of Tarpon Springs, Florida; four sisters, Iva Jean Barker of Anaheim, CA, Melva Chandler of Asheville, Iris McKinney of Baltimore, MD and Hattie Baley of Phoenix, AZ.
His home going celebration will be 10:30 am Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Black Mountain Church of God, with the Reverend O. H. "Mack" White, and Pastor Wendell Burnette officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain.
His family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road.
Memorials may be made to Care Partners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
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My Uncle was the Best … he is in Heaven … and How Great is our God … Jesus got one of the Best .. he gave me away in my wedding and for that great thanks
Cynthia Pinkston
So very proud to have called you my father-in-law and POP to ALL 4 of my children and my grandson Gage. You were always sharing a contagious smile and was such a giving person. Thank you for everything you have done for me and my family. I know you are smiling, clapping, singing and celebrating in heaven! Such a wonderful man! We will miss you ‘Pop’!
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family , Howard was one of a kind, he loved giving kids candy and dollars at church , I enjoyed working with him in the meat dept. He was a free spirit and loved Jesus!!! Prayers for you all
One of the most caring and kind men I know. Not related but still felt like family. So good to my family and loved those grandchildren so much. I know he is in Heaven checking to see if they remember the good things he taught them. May you rest in peace Howard and prayers for the family.
RIP…OLD FRIEND
Howard was a great man.I know he would always put a smile on your face when you would see him at the store and he will be missed.The lord has gotten one of the best. And my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Such a nice man. He always had a kind word and a smile for me when I would shop at Ingle’s in the 80’s. I rented from his brother Ernest then and he would always ask me how his brother was doing. The love for his brother showed greatly.I always looked forward to seeing Howard when I was shopping.
Always ready to smile, laugh and tell a joke, Howard was such a nice man. Still can’t believe how quick this all happened. Never worried or bothered by anything it seemed…. Such a straight shooter and I appreciate that so much-He’ll be remembered and missed. God Bless all his family and friends and people he influenced. Great legacy of loyalty and commitment by family and work… Enjoyed the times we played golf together…
So sorry for you loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Howard was a wonderful, kind and caring person who was good to everyone. He was so great to be around. We will never forget his wonderful sense of humor and his smile. You could not help but feel good when he was around. He dearly loved all of his family and would have done anything for them or anyone else. What a shame more people are not like him. He surely is resting in Heaven now. RIP Howard. You will be missed.
A true angel on earth. Howard was loved by all who knew him. Always a smile and a good word for everyone. He will be missed. Praying for Gods comforting arms to surround his family and friends.
We loved Howard so much. He was so kind and helped our family so much when we were going through very difficult times!! We are so sorry for your tragic loss. The last time I saw him we were rejoicing in the Lord at a benefit singing and we talked about going Home!! Well now he’s Home!! See you soon Brother Howard!! Much love and prayers to all of the family!!
Heaven gained a wonderful Angel with this man. Well always remember going to ingles when i was a child and seeing his smiling face and hearing
his laugh. Praying for his family and may he rest in peace
Howard was a great man and a wonderful neighbor to the garrison family on Dillingham circle. Spent many childhood days with him and his sons in the garden. He keep my head shaved and my belly full. I will always love and remember him. God bless Howard Mckinney! I will pray the heavens down on his family!
So sorry for your loss. Howard always had a smile and would help in any way that he could. May God comfort you at this time and in the days to come.
So sorry to hear this news . He was a very sweet kind Man.
Sorry to hear of Howards passing. He was a good person. I enjoyed working wit him.
I am truly sorry to hear of your loss, I had the great privilege of working with Howard many years ago. And years later when I would go in he would tell me about his family. He was a wonderful man, and will be missed by so many. Praying God comforts you during this time of loss. Blessings, Donna Maxwell Flynn
Howard will be sadly missed praying for the family.
Sorry to hear of Howard’s passing. I worked with him many years at Ingles. He was always full of energy and always happy. May God give Strength, Comfort and Peace to the Family. God Bless
Praying for the family sorry for your loss Howard was a good man always smiling always friendly,Rest in peace Brother
It’s always hard to lose a friend like Howard but it sure makes it easier when he lived the life that he did. He’s helped so many people and never thought twice about it. There’s no doubt where his soul rest now. He will surely be missed but never forgotten.
You will be missed until we see you again. Prayers for the family, Howard was a great person and big influence on my life at the Swannanoa Church of God when I was young.
We moved to Dillingham Circle in 1979, I will never forget meeting Howard for the first time, what a Blessing he was and always has been to us. I have always thought of him as the Patriarch of Dillingham Circle. Everyone loved his happy joyful personality. He always praised the Lord, and if you felt bad that day and ran into him in Ingles or just in the neighborhood, you felt better. I and my husband will really miss this Christian man, we pray for peace for the family, and God be with them in this time of sorrow.
I worked with him when I was at Ingles from 2004-06. He was such a kind man. He will be missed.
Howard was truly a kind soul. Anytime my dad and I would go in ingles he was always friendly and goofy, cracking jokes and having fun with kids. I would bet there isn’t too many kids in this Swannanoa valley who don’t remember Howard the ‘meat man’cutting up, or even taking the change out of his pocket so you could have something outta the 25 cent machine .He was good man, and will be missed.
you will be missed……….the smile you always had………
We are so sorry to hear about Howard. We loved seeing him when we would come to Asheville. Always made us laugh and it was good to share memories. Please know we will keep you all in our prayers. We wish we could be there. God bless!
Howard was an amazing man. He will surely be missed. May God comfort you now. Love and prayers.
I didn’t know you….but you knew my Dad, Johnny Harrison. You used to help my family out with meat from Ingles when we were little. Thank you for that. Mom was sad to hear about your passing. I hope you are enjoying heaven with my Dad right now. To your family……I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds as if he was very well thought of and loved. Prayers for you all.
Mr. McKinney was a sweet man. I went to church with him at Swannanoa Church of God as a girl. My prayers go out to the family, for comfort and strength. May God wrap them in His loving arms.
i knew you many years ago,when you were at ingles,know your son steve well
So sorry for your loss. Keeping you in our prayers. Mr. McKinney was always so kind to my nephew Nathan Fulbright.
What a wonderful man. He always brought a smile to your face when you saw him. He was always full of surprises. Sorry to the family for such a loss. He will be missed.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Your family is our thoughts and prayers.
Debra and Dave Creasman
Marc and Grace Moody
We are saddened to hear of Howard’s passing. He was such a kind man, always quick with a joke, and a smile. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for comfort to his entire family.
We are so sorry for your loss. Howard was a wonderful person. He was a great friend and neighbor. He was such an asset to the community and has helped many people. He was so friendly to everyone. Our family will really miss seeing and visiting with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. God Bless!
So sorry for the loss of Howard. We know he will be greatly missed. You will be reunited with him one day. We will keep your family in our prayers.
I am so sorry that you are all having to go through this. Howard was a sweet man.. I would run into him every once in a while at the grocery store or out and about. My mother, Judy Dillingham and I were so saddened to hear that Howard had passed away. Our prayers are with you.. God Bless You!
I am so sad to read of Howard’s passing. Though I have been away from the Swannanoa Valley for quite some time now, one of the best memories I have when I think of ‘home’ is knowing that fine men like Howard lived there. He was a true example of a good man–down to earth and a pleasure to be around. He was so kind to my parents and we truly appreciated him. My most sincere condolences to all of the family.
I had the pleasure of working with Howard in several ingles stores.employees and customers loved him.I am very thankful to have known him and to have called him a good friend.