Louise McKinney

Obituary For Louise McKinney

Doris Louise Watson McKinney was born November 24, 1932 in Cleveland County, NC and departed this life on February 28, 2022 at White Oak Manor Nursing Home in Shelby, NC. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, John Henry and Rosa Mae Spear Watson. She was also preceded in death by her son, Ivan Lewis McKinney and three sisters, Aileen Watson Ford, Minnie Mae Watson, and Gloria Watson Famble; brother-in-law Rev. Dr. Charles Ford; niece Regina Ford; nephew Joseph Henry Famble; and great nephew Kahari Scott.

She is survived by her four daughters, Cynthia McKinney, Sharon McKinney, Tanise McKinney, all of Shelby, NC and Arlise McKinney of Myrtle Beach, SC; one grandson, Johnathan Norris McKinney of Shelby, NC, four great grandchildren Tiqwailyn Allen of Charlotte, NC, Kentrell Carson and Keiari Carson of Forest City, NC, and Johnathan McKinney Jr. of Shelby, NC. She is also survived by her nieces Valerie Ford Camp (Terry) of Shelby, NC, Chetha Scott of Charlotte, NC, and Monsonia Sparkman (Maurice) of Columbia, SC; one nephew Theodore Davis Jr. of Shelby, NC; great nephew and nieces, Daunte Scott of Charlotte, NC, Monica Sparkman and Marcella Sparkman of Columbia, SC and Monique Sparkman of Durham, NC; goddaughter Crystal Irby (James) of Killeen, TX; and bonus daughters Brenda Camp and Linda Bell, both of Grover, NC, Sandra Galmon of Charlotte, NC and Barbara Ussery of Shelby, NC. She was part of a close knit group of first cousins to include John Watson (Mary) of Atlanta, GA, Robert Watson (Jeraldine) of Shelby, NC, Dorothy Davis of Charlotte, NC; Ruby Cline (Talmadge), Ann Patterson, Sue Borders, and Mary Marable all of Shelby, NC, Steve Spear (Stephanie) of Spartanburg, SC, Sylvia Spear of Gastonia, NC. She is also survived by a host of family members in the Spear, Young and Watson family and friends in the community.

Louise was educated at Cleveland School in Shelby, which was the only institution servicing the educational needs of African-American students in the county. She later attended L. Richardson Hospital in Greensboro, NC, which at the time was the primary institution in the state providing educational opportunities for African-Americans in healthcare. She earned her certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked for 34 years for Cleveland Memorial Hospital (now Atrium Health) in Shelby, NC. In addition to her work at the hospital, she worked as a private duty nurse for a number of families in the Shelby and Fallston areas. She instilled her love of education and a work ethic in her children that allowed each of them to pursue educational and employment opportunities as many of the barriers to advancement were being challenged by the Civil Rights Movement in this country and county.

Louise was a lifelong member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Shelby, where her maternal grandparents, William and Lucy Ann Spear, as well as her father and mother were founding members. She served in a number of capacities over the years to include the choir, kitchen and hospitality, and Seniors on the Move. She was a devoted member of the church and her faith grounded her in the principles she taught her children. She believed in giving of her time, tithe, and talents in any areas needed by the church family. Her talents were most evident in her culinary contributions and especially her signature strawberry and pear preserves that were a favorite among family and friends. Doris Louise Watson McKinney leaves a legacy of love for her family, church, and community. She was devoted to all of these areas and taught others to express their love through action for each other. She was always willing to help and give, despite her modest means. She worked tirelessly for her family, church, and community until her health no longer allowed her to do so. Her infectious smile always preceded everything she wanted to do and she delighted in spending time with her extended family. It is her legacy of love through faith, family, and community that will live on as an example for all.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM until 2:00 PM. Burial will take at Webb Memorial Lawns. The service will be livestreamed starting at 1:45 PM from the Enloe Mortuary Face Book page.

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