Paul Donald McKinney

Mills River ~ Paul Donald McKinney, of McKinney Fruit Drive, Mills River passed away on Thursday, November 26, 2009. He was born in Yancey County and lived most of his life in Buncombe and Henderson Counties. He was the son of the late William Harvey McKinney and Pantha Gaddy McKinney. He was a US Army Veteran and attended Maranatha Baptist Church in Hendersonville. Mr. McKinney retired from North Carolina Horticulture Research Station in 1993 and was a lifetime farmer. His passion was Southern Gospel Music and for many years hosted the Back Porch Singers. He is survived by his wife, Mary Melton McKinney of Mills River; three daughters, Brenda McKinney of Arden, Paula McKinney of Mills River and Linda and husband Carl Bishop of Arden; a son, Edward McKinney of Mills River; seven grandchildren; nine great- grandchildren. A funeral service will be held 3:00 P.M. Sunday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road with the Rev. Lewis Staton, Rev. Michael Carter and Rev. Carl Bishop officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 3:00 P.M. Sunday prior to the service. A graveside service will be held 1:00 P.M. Monday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Enka with military honors conducted by the Buncombe County Veterans Council. Memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, P.O. Box 2395, Hendersonville, NC 28793.