Darrel McKinney

April 8, 1943 - February 28, 2020

Darrel Renney McKinney passed away in his sleep on February 28, 2020 at his home in Spruce Pine, North Carolina at the age of 76. Darrel was born to the late Texie Lowery McKinney on April 8, 1943 in Spruce Pine, N.C. Darrel loved to tell stories of growing up with his mother and grandmother, “Granny Mary” (Mary Lowery). He especially enjoyed sharing how Granny Mary would always take up for him if he got into trouble because he extinguished a fire once when the clothing she was wearing caught on fire! His childhood was short on material securities but was filled with family love and with fun and mischief with his siblings, cousins, and friends. His adventures included freighthopping to get to Spruce Pine. In addition to his mother and grandparents, Darrel was preceded in death by his oldest brother, John Lewis McKinney, whom he thought of much like a father, his beloved older sister, Lois Nell McKinney, and by his beloved younger brother, Kelly Wade McKinney. He was also preceded in death by his stepson, Tommy Shuck. Darrel graduated from Harris High School in 1961. He was quite proud of his military service with the Army and loved sharing stories about his time in Germany. He was recognized for marksmanship. He later enjoyed serving as the Food Services Sergeant in the Army Reserve, earning recognition for his achievement in this position. After more than nineteen combined years in the Army and Army Reserve, he retired in 2003. He continued service to and relationships with his fellow veterans through the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Darrel worked for seventeen years as a welder at C.E. Air Preheater in Marion, until the company closed. He remained friends with these coworkers throughout his life and enjoyed reunions with them. In 2005, he retired as a Sergeant from Mountain View Corrections. At these and other jobs, Darrel became friends with his coworkers, enjoying good-natured teasing and a lot of talk about North Carolina basketball. Darrel married the late Barbara Mace McKinney who passed away in 2008. After their divorce, he married the late Eva Meredith McKinney who passed away in 2006. He married the late Brenda Vaughn West McKinney who passed away in 2016. Darrel counted himself as blessed for these three marriages and mourned the passing of each of these women, holding their memories close throughout his life. Darrel’s greatest joy and pride was his family. Left to remember him are his daughter, Mary McKinney and husband Jody Prevette of Boone; son, Matt McKinney of Spruce Pine, NC; grandchildren Brooke Penley of Deep Gap, NC, Seleste Penley of Swannanoa, NC, Dylan McKinney and Hayden Owens of Spruce Pine, NC; his brother, Jerry McKinney of Newland, NC; his niece, Debbie McKinney of Spruce Pine, NC; his stepdaughters, Vickie Kirk and husband Danny of Lenoir, NC, Lisa Woody and husband, Steve, and Holly Samples and husband Jonathan of Kingsport, Tn.; several step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and many cousins. Darrel found joy in visiting with family and friends, sharing stories, and joking. He coached many youths in Mitchell County, sharing his love of basketball, football, and baseball. These former players speak of the difference he made in their lives. He generally loved all sports, but especially Mitchell County and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill teams. Family and friends are respectfully invited to visit together on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 from 2:00 pm until 2:30 pm in the Chapel of Webb Funeral Home. The Memorial Service will be at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 in the Chapel of Webb Funeral Home with the Rev. Michelle Grit officiating. Military Honors will be provided by DAV Sgt. E.L. Randolph Chapter #57 at the graveside at Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery. Immediately following the committal service, family and friends are invited to share an informal time of storytelling and visiting to honor Darrel at dinner at the Western Sizzlin’ Steakhouse in Spruce Pine. The family requests anyone who will to bring pictures and stories of Darrel to share during the visitation before the funeral and at dinner after the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either; Mitchell County Recreation Department, 177 Crimson Laurel Way, Bakersville, NC 28705 www.mitchellcounty.org/departments/recreation or DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 https://cst.dav.org/ Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com., selecting Darrel McKinney’s name and then you may sign his guestbook. Webb Funeral Home is honored to be serving the McKinney family. Darrel’s obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.