Janet McKinney

Janet Lee McKinney, born July 28, 1937, was deeply rooted in Southern West Virginia, where she built her life surrounded by family, faith, and community. One of fourteen children, she grew up learning that family meant responsibility, work, and care for one another — lessons she carried with her throughout her life, until she passed away on February 2, 2026, surrounded by that loving circle of family.

She showed love in practical, tangible ways. She fed people. She made things with her hands. She took care of what needed taking care of. Her cooking was one of the ways she gathered family together: fried apples and oatmeal cookies made often and without ceremony, lemon bars everyone looked for, a cheeseball that her grandchildren still associate only with her, and special hard candy at Christmastime. Being in her home meant being fed, without fuss and without asking.

She was a skilled seamstress, and sewing was another way she expressed care. She made personalized graduation quilts for many of her grandchildren, thoughtfully designed with the colors and mascots of their schools. They were practical, durable, and made to be used — gifts that reflected both her patience and her love.

Janet worked as an instructional aide at Stephenson Grade School and Mullens Middle School where she quietly supported students and teachers alike. Her work there reflected the same steadiness and care she brought to every part of her life.

Her faith was central to who she was. She was deeply devoted to her church, Amigo Missionary Baptist Church, and cherished her church family. Her belief in being part of a community was something she lived, rooted in faith and practiced week after week, year after year.

Above all else, Janet was devoted to her family. She and her husband, Wilbur McKinney, shared 51 years of marriage. He was the love of her life, and she cared for him with empathy, patience, and deep devotion through many years of illness near the end of his life. Their love was quiet but deep; Wilbur once wrote her a note on a gift tag, saying, “If I bought you a gift equal to what you're worth to me it would be a Southern mansion in Tennessee. All my love, Wilbur.” Together they raised four sons and built a family that continues to gather — around long holiday tables, at reunions, and in the full, busy gatherings she loved most.

She valued tradition, steadiness, and the comfort of familiar routines. Her presence was dependable and grounding, felt more often than it was spoken.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wilbur McKinney; her parents, Oscar and Rivanna Shrewsbury; and her brothers Dewey, Delmar, Truman, Bradley, Odell, and Steven Shrewsbury.

Those left to cherish her memory include her four children: Clifford McKinney (Tammy) of Beckley, WV; Perry McKinney (Sheila) of Mt. Hope, WV; Tony McKinney (Janet) of Barkers Ridge, WV; and Gary McKinney (Shiela) of Glen Allen, VA.

Janet’s living siblings include Tessie Cook, Larry Shrewsbury (Kathy), Oscar Shrewsbury Jr., Sidney Shrewsbury (Beverly), Roger Shrewsbury, Judy Belcher (Calvin), and Rita Shrewsbury (Joe).

Her grandchildren are Candace Henderson (Bill) of Martinsburg, WV; Amber McKinney of Portland, ME; Jason McKinney (Tonya) of Coal City, WV; Kelli Myers (Patrick) of Bethel Park, PA; Tabitha Lusk (Jerry) of Barkers Ridge, WV; Sarah Saunders (Luke) of Richmond, VA; Blaine McKinney of Gray, ME; and Clint Houck of Davidson, NC. She also leaves eleven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

“You left your mark on our hearts.”

Services will be held at Blue Ridge Funeral Home of Beckley, WV with speakers Larry Shrewsbury and Joseph Belcher on Wednesday February 11th 2026 at 1pm. Friends may join the family for a visitation from 11am to 1pm at the funeral home on the day of the service. After services she will be laid to rest by her beloved Wilbur at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to ask all those wishing to share memories, photos, and tell stories of their time with Janet to do so under the memories section of her obituary, creating an everlasting memorial to her wonderful life.