Mr. James Charles McKinnie Jr.

James Charles McKinnie, Jr., 85, a Retiree from the State Aid Division of MDOT, passed away Friday, November 27, 2009, at Hospice Ministries. Visitation is 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home Highland Colony with chapel services at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009 with interment following in Parkway Memorial Cemetery Ridgeland, MS. Mr. McKinnie was born August 13, 1924, in Smackover, Arkansas, the son of James Charles and Opal Keathley McKinnie. He was a life long member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church. He served our country in the United States Army during WWII with the 974th in the South Pacific. He graduated from the University of Texas. He was a long time resident of Jackson, a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. Mr. McKinnie also served as a Mason and Worthy Patron with the Eastern Star.He was preceded in death by his son, James S. McKinnie.Survivors include his wife, Belva Ann Stevens McKinnie of Madison, son Charles McKinnie and wife Susan, of Vicksburg, daughter Beverly McKinnie Howard and husband Pete, of Ridgeland, son Roy McKinnie of Madison. Grandchildren include Allan McKinnie and wife Amanda of Ethelsville, AL. Scott McKinnie and wife Megan of Brandon. Gary Howard III and Anna Howard of Ridgeland, Samuel McKinnie and Elizabeth McKinnie of Ft. Worth, TX., one great-granddaughter, Addison Joy McKinnie, daughter of Allan and Amanda; nephew, Michael Dean Stevens of Livermore, CA; niece, Nancy Stevens Cooper and husband Ed of Centennial, CO. and their son Steven Cooper serving with the US Air Force.; sister-in-law Shirley Stevens of Natchez.Pallbearers will be Allan McKinnie, Scott McKinnie, Samuel McKinnie, Gary Howard, Jon Mitchell, and David Kennedy.Memorials may be made to Ridgecrest Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society.