Charles Mckinney

Charles Harmon McKinney, 91, died Monday, September 5, 2011, at Hinkle Hospice House, following a brief illness. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, September 9, 2011, at First Baptist Church in Lexington, where he was a member, with Rev. Dr. Ray Howell 3rd and Rev. Tommy Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. A private burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Mr. McKinney was born January 11, 1920, in Selma, Al., to Rossie Sconyers McKinney and Charles Haisten McKinney. He entered in the U.S. Army in 1941 and fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Southern France and Belgium with the 509 parachute battalion and earned the Silver Star in Italy. During his 20 years of service in the Army he earned the rank of Major, a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and was an honored member of the 82nd Air Borne division. After retiring from the Army, he spent the rest of his career working in sales management with United Furniture and Lexington Furniture Industries. Charlie was an excellent golfer and enjoyed the game at every opportunity. He was a loving and generous husband, father, and grandfather who will be greatly missed. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sisters, Minnie Eakens and Edna Sanders. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Estelle Smyly McKinney of the home; son, Charles Douglas McKinney; grandson, Charles Michael McKinney of Winston-Salem; nieces, Peggy Johnson and Alice Swink. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Lexington, P.O. Box 436, Lexington, NC 27293; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.