MARY ANN THORNTON MCKINNEY,
age 76, of North Little Rock, Ark., passed away on June 28, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer and other health challenges.
Mary Ann was born in Little Rock to Travis and Eileen Thornton on September 24, 1943. She graduated from Little Rock Central High School and Ouachita Baptist University. At Ouachita she met the love of her life, J.V. McKinney, an upperclassman from Forrest City. They dated for three years and were married on Valentine’s Day in 1965. Their sons Blake and Bryan were born in 1969 and 1970, and their life as a family of four overflowed with blessings. Mary Ann loved her family well.
Mary Ann held many jobs over the years. She was a schoolteacher in North Little Rock and in Bristol, Tenn. She served as assistant manager of the Albert Pike Hotel, as receptionist at Allen Veterinary Clinic, and as Administrative Assistant to the Pastor at Second Baptist Church in downtown Little Rock. Second Baptist was central to her life from her earliest days until her last days – it was a place that formed her deep faith in God and gave her an avenue to live out her passion for serving others. She served the church as a deacon, as a member of several committees, and as the leader of the church’s hospitality ministry. Second Baptist was also the source of many rich friendships for her.
Mary Ann loved to cook, and everyone who tasted her food was glad that she did. She had several adventures with her friends – they enjoyed celebrating milestones, traveling together, serving others, and gloating over their grandkids. While Mary Ann attempted to serve everyone until her last hours – literally writing thank you notes and sending birthday cards in her last days — she too was faithfully loved by a wonderful support system of doctors, nurses, and friends.
Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Blake and Gayla McKinney of Lee’s Summit, MO., and Bryan and Leigh Anne McKinney of Arkadelphia. Known to many as Grammy, she was the proud grandmother of Justin, Caleb, Colson, Mason, and Sarah. She had two bonus grandkids in De’Ja Smiley and Justin Wise. She is also survived by many cousins, and by lifelong friends who might as well be family.
A celebration of Mary Ann’s life will be streamed online at facebook.com/2BCLR at 9am Monday, July 6. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Second Baptist Church, 222 East 8th Street, Little Rock Ark., 72202. You may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.