Helen Verline Oliver McKinney

McKinney, Helen Verline Oliver of Birmingham, AL went home to be with the Lord June 3, 2014 at age 84. She was a very devoted, loving wife and mother, native and long-term resident of Franklin County, AL. She was raised near Phil Campbell and resided in the Gravel Hill Community where she was a lifetime member of the Gravel Hill Baptist Church and assisted with the family farm. Her unwavering Christian faith and sweet disposition provided a testimony to all that knew her. She was an avid gardener, enjoyed growing and preserving fruits and vegetables, cooking, sewing, church and family. She moved to the Birmingham area in 2001 to be closer to her children. She attended the First Baptist Church of Pelham until her health declined in 2010. After a further decline in her health in 2013 she moved to Lakeview Estates Assisted Living. The family would like to thank the staff at Lakeview and the Pelham First Baptist Family for their loving thoughts, care, and prayers. Mrs. McKinney was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, James Wilburn "Wig" McKinney, her parents, Onie Dell Oliver & Susie Mae Lawler Oliver, brother, Clyde Oliver and wife Velma. Mrs. McKinney is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Gail McKinney Black and husband, Michael J. Black, son, Keith Dwight McKinney, nephew, Danny Oliver and wife, Carol, nieces, Janet Oliver McCullar and husband Jerry, Debra Oliver Harris and husband Steve, several great nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends. Visitation will be at 5:30 – 8:00 on Thursday, June 5 at Spry Funeral Home in Russellville, AL and on June 6, 1:00 – 2:00 at Gravel Hill Baptist Church in Phil Campbell, AL (Gravel Hill Community). The funeral service will follow at 2:00. The burial will be at Liberty Hill Cemetery, Phil Campbell, AL. Dr. Paul Moore will be officiating the Celebration service. Memorials may be made to Pelham First Baptist Church or Gravel Hill Baptist Church.