Ray Mckinney

Life Story,

Proverbs 3: 5 - 8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to

him, and He will make your paths straight.

Ray McKinney was born on November 13, 1930, in Oak Park, Georgia to the late Annie Bell and the late

Nebbie McKinney. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 3, 2023, in

Wilmington, Delaware.

Ray was the 3rd oldest of 14 children. He was educated in the Georgia school system. Ray always put

his family first, and at an early age, he focused on supporting his family. He was very industrious and

hard-working. Some of the jobs he performed were working as a turpentine worker and a farm

hand worker. However, his gift/passion and what he spent a lot of time doing was repairing cars.

Ray became an expert in how a motor works and how to diagnose problems. He could repair anything

from a lawn mower to a diesel truck.

In 1957 Ray met the love of his life, Mary. On July 3, 1959, Ray and Mary were married in Georgia.

After 10 years of marriage, they relocated to Delaware to be closer to his brother (Abraham) and find better job opportunities.

Ray’s first job in Delaware was with First State Ambulance, Incorporated as a manager and head

mechanic. He next worked at Stanley T. Sanitation as head mechanic and as an auto technician at Pep

Boys. In the late 1970s Ray opened and operated his own business with his brothers (Abraham and

Willie James) called, McKinney’s Auto Shop in Wilmington.

Ray gave his life to Christ in the 80s at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Wilmington, Delaware. He was

ordained as a deacon on October 23, 1994, at New Covenant Seed Assembly Church in Wilmington,

Delaware under the leadership of Pastor A. James Collins. In the late 90s, Ray became a faithful

member of New Community Church in Wilmington, Delaware where Dr. Edward C. Cross, Sr. serves as

Pastor.

In the early 2000s, Ray retired from full-time employment but he continued to repair cars. He had a giving

heart. On some occasions, he would help people who had problems with their cars but had no money to

pay him. He was an auto mechanic for 70 years. When he was not repairing cars, Ray played his guitars.

He enjoyed going fishing and sharing the Word of God with family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his brothers: Nebbie Jr, Willie James, Walter

Roy, and Abraham McKinney; Sisters: Della, Annie, Evie, and Alberta McKinney, Ella Burnette, Carrie

Lee Wright, and Elise Taylor; Granddaughter: Felisha; Nieces: JoAnn, Dorothy “Jean” and Vivian

“Pat”; and Nephew: Tony.

Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary McKinney; Daughters: Molly (Willis) Mallard of

Miami, Florida, Cheryl (Darin) Norwood of Newark, Delaware; Brother: Truman McKinney of Vidalia,

Georgia; Sister: Iradell Harden of Wilmington, Delaware; Sisters in law: Helen (Marvin) of Wilmington,

Delaware, Rosie (Jimmy) of Adrian, Georgia, and Virginia (Sid) of Vidalia, Georgia; Grandchildren: Willis,

Kevin, Cynthia of Miami, Florida; Great Grandchildren: Jaiven, Zavion, Kylie, Kenn, Ryan, Darius and

Shaniqwa of Miami, Florida; Goddaughter: Moira (Ron) Washington of Waldorf, Maryland; Godsons

Donte Ames of Vancouver, Washington, Odell Mayfield of Wilmington, Delaware, and a host of

nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other family and friends. Ray was a beloved husband, father,

brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend who will be missed by all who knew him.

Lovingly Submitted by The Family