Eleanor June McKinney

Eleanor Poet McKinney, known to all as “June,” passed away peacefully, at age 92, on Thursday, November 10, 2016, in Kenner, LA. June was a life-long New Orleanian, graduating from John McDonough Senior High. After a year at LSU in Baton Rouge, she returned to New Orleans to support the war effort, and began her career as a federal employee with the U.S. Navy. For over 30 years, June worked at the US Naval Air Station at Pontchartrain Beach and in Belle Chase, LA. Subsequently, she joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as office manager in New Orleans, from which she ultimately retired in 1984. All those who knew or met June were treated to her loving nature, ready smile, warm and welcoming personality, vibrant sense of humor, positive outlook, and love of life and laughter. Friendly and inviting, June was always “Ready to go!” – whether gathering with friends and family, visiting the French Quarter, attending Mardi Gras balls and supper dances, or in her later years, becoming a cruise ship and RV-traveler. June was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Clothilde Poet; and husbands Chester J. Plauche, Sr. and Leon Earl McKinney. She is survived by Charles R. Cross, her loving and devoted partner of 16 years; sister, Myrtis Poet Grashoff; son, Chester J. Plauche, Jr. (Terri); step-daughter, Pamela McKinney Fogg (Woodrow), their three children and grandchild, Michele Martin (David), Chad Fogg (Jennifer and son Christian), Misty Fogg (fiancé Thomas Corrington); niece, Sharon Grashoff Brach (Bowman), grand-niece, Kelly Busenlener (Peter), grand-nephew, Ryan Brach (Dina), five great-grand nieces and one great grand-nephew; and nephew, Gary Poet Grashoff. A memorial service for June will be held on Monday, November 28, 2016, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation will begin at 12:00 P.M. with a service following at 1:00 P.M. Interment will follow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Parkinson Disease Association website (www.adpaparkinson.org), or sent to American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305, in honor of Eleanor June McKinney. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com .