Ezra McKinnie "Big Ma" " Sister" Flournoy

Passed 10/12/2022

Obituary For Ezra McKinnie "Big Ma" " Sister" Flournoy

Ezra was born to loving parents, Linden McKinnie and Matilda Tremble McKinnie on November 22, 1930, in a Christian home, Ezra was taught to revere God, love her fellowman, live a life of excellence, and be a woman of her word. These sound and honest values would govern her life for as long as she lived. Living during the tumultuous era of Jim Crow, Ezra, along with her late husband, James Flournoy, would overcome obstacles and instill sound Christian values and a love for her Lord and Savior in her children. She believed in God’s deliverance and served Him fervently at the Pierce Grove Baptist Church as did her parents and other family members. She would remain a dedicated and vital member of Pierce Grove her entire life. She served faithfully on the Usher Board, the Missionary Society, the Busy Bee Society, and the Fair and Honest Society. She loved her family, and they knew that. She loved to cook, and they savored the delicacies of her culinary skills. She enjoyed the fellowship and joy that her meals provided. She knew how to quilt, a craft she learned growing up and a skill that is long forgotten amongst today’s society. She had a “green thumb” and her flowers were of such beauty that even King Solomon, in all of his splendor, could not match. They were, indeed, gifts from the Father Himself. She loved her Sunday hats and fancy clothes. Needless to say, she wore them well. Her sense of style didn’t just go to church. Her everyday outfits included a matching apron. Ezra knew what she liked, and her children made sure that her wishes were their commands. Ezra was lovingly called by many monikers. Sister or Big Ma were endearingly favorites. She was “Big Ma” to so many. She nurtured, mentored, protected, but most importantly, she loved. That loved was exemplified each day in the lives of her children. Ezra believed in the Lord and she leaned on Him when the steely hands of Death claimed three of her children, Evelyn, Katie, and Albert. Like Job, she never questioned God but acknowledged that the Lord giveth and the Lord taken away, but blessed be the name of the Lord. She was a big sister who instilled wisdom, understanding, and insight in her siblings. Though Sara L. Lee, Sebram McKinnie, Nettie M. Moye, Roosevelt "Bud" McKinnie, Claudia “Lil Doll” McKinnie, Elex McKinnie, and Charlie McKinnie stepped from Time to Eternity before Ezra, they were never far from her thoughts. God has them in His keeping, but Ezra treasured them in her heart. In life Ezra’s children loved dearly; in death, she is loved just the same. The family’s chain is broken, and things don’t seem the same, but as God calls them Home one by one the chain will link again. Left to hold beautiful and loving memories of their beloved mother are her surviving children: Mattie Flournory, Dorothy F. Gibbons, and Myra Flournoy, Wadley, Ga; and Vanessa Flournoy, Macon, GA. She will be remembered as a loving mother-in-law to her one daughter-in-law, Queenie Flournoy, Louisville; and her sister-in-law Judy Hicks, Atlanta, GA. Death claims the body; God claims the soul. It is left to the living to embrace the legacy of the dead. Ezra’s legacy will remain forever steadfast and grounded in the lives of her grandchildren: Jerome (Sophia) Flournoy, Wadley; Rodney (Shelia) McKinnie, Louisville; Melissa Johnson, Wadley; Kimberly Williams, Louisville; Christopher Poole, Hephzibah; Brian Flournoy, Asheville, NC; Tiffany Flournoy, Grovetown; James Williams, Jr., Wadley; Albertina Flournoy and T’Onnie Lane, Louisville: and Demetrius T. Flournoy, Wadley. Ezra’s offspring were numerous, as she leaves to remember “Big Ma” twenty-seven great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. When she broke the shackles of Time to embrace the never-ending realm of Eternity, she left a plethora of broken hearts among nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, other relatives, and sorrowing friends. The life that Ezra lived, truly, spoke for itself. From this day forward, she will be long remembered as a loving mother, a doting grandmother, an understanding big sister, a loyal friend, priceless aunt, a dedicated church member, but most importantly a child of the Most High God.

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