Mark Anthony McKinney

OF

Master Sergeant “Mark Anthony McKinney”

September 1, 1966 – December 18, 2024

Mark Anthony McKinney was born to the union of John and Maggie McKinney in Mobile, AL on September 1, 1966. On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Mark slipped peacefully into eternal rest while holding the hand of his wife Karla.

Mark graduated from John L. LeFlore Magnet High School located in the proud Rattler community of Toulminville (Mobile), AL. His classmate, Elicia Olvera Jaxon shared that although Mark was very quiet he left an indelible mark in her life and the life of his peers. She remembered him as a mentor, a respected and admired person to which many of his classmates paid attention to. Incoming Freshman, she said, thought Mark was a teacher because he was always instructing and redirecting their behavior. She stated he remained the same in position, integrity, and character. Elicia recalled Mark as a hard worker who loved his mother. The last time she spoke with Mark was early June and he told her he was going through a minor health event. After graduating he continued his education at Bishop State Community College before receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Business while stationed at Fort Carson, CO at Colorado State University in 2010.

Mark was a die-hard Roll Tider! He, like most of his family, lived and breathed University of Alabama football. He remained steadfast and unmoveable in his support even as “The Tide” slowly became a ripple.

When you think on Mark, the immediate picture that is visualized is “family, family, family”. Mark was a devoted and committed family man. After God, family was next. Mark adored his Finney clan. He held a special place for his grandparents Leslie and Margaret Finney (preceded him in death), as the seed planters to his walk with God and humble gratitude to his extended family clans, the Suttons and Davisons. His greatest desire in serving the LORD was family relationships, both natural and spiritual.

Mark and Karla met in 1991 at Pace Warehouse in Stone Mountain, GA after his return from Desert Storm. Then in 1993, they were married in Atlanta, Georgia at the home of their cousin Linda Sutton Croft. Karla’s uncle, Daniel E. Davison, performed their initial 1993 ceremony and proudly performed their 30th Anniversary Vow Renewal on June 8, 2024 in Atlanta, GA, Stone Mountain Park.

His love for family was walked out and evident in his faith walk. As a Minister of the Gospel, Mark further exemplified his love of family by embracing his Kingdom Family; the Body of Christ. While we know when he began his natural family walk, he accepted Christ at an early age at El Bethel Primitive Baptist Church under Reverend Jonathan L. Yates then renewed his relationship with Christ in 2018 under Pastor Darryl James at Covenant Memorial Baptist Church in Kansas City. MO. He accepted his call into ministry while stationed in Hanau, Germany under Chaplain Drake in late 1999. He was later ordained in Fayetteville, NC at New Covenant Full Gospel Baptist Church under Pastor Alphonse Turner in 2003.

Mark loved repairing things in his home and maintaining a picturesque yard. He was quite the handyman. Tasks his wife beckoned for a repairperson to tackle, Mark always found a way to champion the work. He was an avid student of YouTube University.

Mark’s last military duty station was in Kansas City, MO as a Contract Specialist with the Kansas City Corps of Engineers. He retired as a Master Sergeant (E8) from the United States Army in 2017. After Mark’s retirement, he initially joined the Kansas Public Schools as a JROTC instructor at East High School. He remained there until their final move. Mark and Karla decided to make Memphis, TN their retirement spot in 2020 from which they planned to devote themselves to ministry as well as travel, visit family, and pursue various personal projects. When you saw one you saw the other as Mark and Karla functioned lock-in step as a unified body with each one holding equal value.

Mark continued his work with JROTC at Sheffield High School with the Memphis Shelby County Public Schools. Where he met and cherished his Battle Buddy Sergeant First Class (Retired) Quintos Palmore. He remained there until the pull to travel, in a different way, grabbed him. He joined Maverick Trucking based out of North Little Rock, Arkansas as a long haul trucker in September 2022. Travelling as far northeast to Pennsylvania, south between Florida and New Orleans and all points Midwest and North with Memphis as the central location. While the adventure seemed exciting initially, Mark longed to be home. With a two year agreement to conclude his road adventure, between him and his wife, God had other plans. May 17, 2024 would be an adventure neither he or his wife ever imagined.

Mark’s ministerial duty stations began in Hanau, Germany, then Fayetteville, NC, then onto Prussman Chapel, Fort Carson, CO, next Korea, before planting him firmly at Covenant Memorial Baptist Church under Pastor Darrell Rocker before transitioning the leadership to Pastor Darryl James. Here is where Mark grew his passion for God, people, and service.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, John McKinney (1985) and Maggie McKinney (2007) and his sister, Karen Rembert-Green (2024).

Mark leaves to cherish his memories, a loving and devoted wife of 31.5 years, Karla Yvette Sutton-McKinney, brothers David(Patricia) McKinney and Gerald McKinney, sons Christopher Harden-McKinney (Lana) of Chicago, IL, Anthony P. McKinney (Veronica) of Springfield, MO, bonus son Kevin J. Pugh (Tomia) of Tyrone Georgia; 5 grandchildren Madison Pugh (11), Aubrey Pugh (10) Selah McKinney (3), Lillian McKinney (2), and Lemuel McKinney (7 mos.), mother-in-law Ruby Gill of St. Louis, MO, his mother’s last sibling, Aunt Marilyn Chappelle of Millbrook, AL his father’s oldest living relative, Aunt Leola Jones of Bridgeport, CT; Extra-ordinary Friends Pastor Darryl James (Delores) of Kansas City, MO, Best Man at both wedding events, Vincent Massey (Yvette) of Atlanta, GA, his Sheffield High School Battle Buddy, Sergeant First Class (Retired) Quintos Palmore (Turkessa) of Lakeland, TN, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends near and far.

A visitation for Mark will be held Saturday, December 28, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Advent At Cordova, 1879 N Germantown Pkwy, Memphis, TN 38016, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.