Frank Meath McKenney

FRANK MEATH McKENNEY, attorney, judge (ret.), historian, avid reader, and author, died on May 22, 2012 at the age of 78, after a long battle with Cancer. McKenney was born on February 1, 1934, the son of the late Frank Miller McKenney and Isabel Meath McKenney, was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia on December 1, 1958 and practiced his whole career in Macon, GA. McKenney attended St. Joseph’s Parochial School and graduated from Lanier High School in 1952. McKenney obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Mercer University and his law degree (formerly LLB., now J.D.) from Walter F. George School of Law, where he served one term as Editor-in-Chief of Law Review. He also served his Country as a second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Quartermaster Corps.

Known for his trademark straw hat, bow tie, and, for many years, his pipe, McKenney was a consummate “Southern gentleman” from the old school and a time when attorneys were generally addressed as “Colonel.” Though a very private man, he always had the time to greet and converse with other attorneys and his friends. As a very intelligent and highly read man, McKenney was a “warehouse” of history and loved to discuss history, particularly of the United States, the State of Georgia, and the Catholic Church.

McKenney served part-time as a referee/associate judge in the Juvenile Court of Bibb County for many years, while his law practice focused primarily on debt collection with Bibb Collection Service. He served on the Board of the Macon Legal Aid Society, was a past Chairman of the Bibb Democratic Party Executive Committee and a local committeeman of the State Committee of the Democratic Party, and he was a past Chairman of the Trustees of the Washington Memorial Library.

He acted, officially and unofficially, as historian for the Macon Bar Association for many years, and, in 2005, authored his book entitled The Judges and Lawyers of Macon 1823 – 2003, Their Doings, Savings, and Memorials, published by Indigo Custom Publishing of Macon. He also authored other books of local community interests, including a History of Camp Wheeler. McKenney was a member of the Macon Lions Club, as well as its Historian, Historic Macon, Macon Jaycees, and the Fraternal Order of Elks.

McKenney is survived by his closest relatives, cousins and descendants of cousins, including Esther T. “Bootsie” Faulk, of Macon, Guy Taylor of Martinez, Helen Hartley of Corbin KY, William G. Taylor, Jr., Mary Lowe, and Jane McKenney Jordan, all of Macon and Jennifer McCafferty of Ruskin, FL.

McKenney was a devout Catholic, 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus, and a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He was the recipient of the Diocesan Bishop Garland Service Award.

The Rosary will be held at Snow’s Memorial Chapel on Cherry Street at 6:00 pm on Thursday May 24, with a reception for friends and family beginning at 6:30 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 4074 Chambers Road, Macon, GA. at 11:00 am Friday, May 25. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. Father Michael Kavanaugh will officiate. Donations to St. Joseph’s Catholic School, 905 High Street, Macon, 31201 may be made in lieu of flowers.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.