Joe Brown McKinney Jr.

Joe Brown McKinney, Jr. (Jay, as he was known) was born on April 12, 1927 in Forest Park, Georgia and departed his earthly life on July 14, 2026 at the age of 99 years to enter the blessed assurance of Heaven with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He died following a short illness of heart failure.

Jay grew up during the Great Depression years from 1929 -1939 and as a young boy he had nothing but the dirt under his feet as he and his family struggled for their next meals. Hard times were so extreme, his dad was without a job for three years. On the heels of the Great Depression, Jay continued to live in frugality in the following years from 1939 -1944 with the onset and duration of World War II.

Jay's grandfather, William (Bill) Lee, was the civil engineer of Clayton County Georgia for more than 40 years during the early 1900's. William and his wife, Mollie, were considered a prominent pioneer family in the area of Georgia that is known to us today as the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. William operated the historic Lee's Mill which was built by his father, Seaborn Anderson Lee, before the Civil War started in 1861 and was located near Forest Park, GA and Riverdale, GA along the Flint River. Lee's Saw and Grist Mill was passed down and operated by his son, Will, (Jay's Uncle). This mill became the sustainer of life for Jay and his family during the difficult days of the Great Depression and World War II. It provided their food and nourishment with biscuits, grits, and cornbread.

Jay's Grandfather, William Lee, had 13 children and later became a surveyor for the county purchasing land in tax default in the area known today as Interstate 75 South and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. William was able to leave a generous legacy of land in the following years to each of his 13 children, including Jay's mother and father.

Jay greatly enjoyed his large extended family who all attended the same church, Forest Park Baptist Church in Forest Park, GA: 26 aunts and uncles and 64 first cousins, plus his mom, dad, and siblings.

At thirteen years of age, Jay made his profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and was baptized at the Forest Park Baptist Church. This began Jay's spiritual legacy which he has passed down to the next three future generations through his daughter and son-in-law, his grandchildren, and his great- grandchildren.

He graduated from Forest Park High School in 1944 and moved with his family to Jacksonville, Florida on July 1st of that same year.

Jay was a devoted Sunday School and church member at Southside Baptist Church, and later became an ordained deacon serving and ministering at Terry Parker Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, all located in Jacksonville, FL.

Jay's uncles, Thomas Lee and Raymond Cates, founded Lee and Cates Glass in 1926. Jay was proud to begin employment in 1944 and worked there until he retired in 1997 after fifty three years of service. His expertise was precision automobile glass installation.

Jay had a heart of gratitude and thankfulness for all of the blessings he enjoyed. It didn't take much to make him happy. Jay's life was an example of grace, courage, strength, and Christian character, which include the fruit of the Holy Spirit: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).

Jay had a deep, abiding, and personal relationship with Jesus Christ which sustained him throughout his 99 years of life and gave him assurance of eternal life as given to us through the inspired Word of God in 1 John 5:13: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

Jay was eager to engage anyone in conversations that led him to be able to share the gospel message that Jesus is the only way of salvation and eternal life to Heaven. He enjoyed going visiting with his friends in their church Bible class each Tuesday.

Jay had many hobbies in his adult life. His dad and brothers loved to hunt in their "dove dynasty." Jay enjoyed perfecting his game of golf, even with a "hole in one" at the Blue Cypress Golf Course. He took pride in maintaining a lush green lawn with colorful flowers. Jay took great pleasure in adventurous camping trips with his family and his friends that took him from California to Niagara Falls. Jay possessed a variety of cars in his lifetime from his Ford Model B, 1947 Plymouth, 1950's Jeep, 1952 Chevrolet Bel-Air Sedan, 1961 Plymouth Fury Convertible, several station wagons, 1971 Jaguar XKE, a Chevrolet Conversion Van, a 1931 Ford Model A, 1995 Mercury Marquis, 1984 Delta Royale 88 Oldsmobile, and two Cadillacs, which he maintained each in showroom condition.

Jay's most valued time was with his family as they met for church each Sunday, celebrated special occasions throughout the year, and vacationed in the Appalachian mountains of North Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Joe Brown McKinney, Sr. and Annis Celeste Lee McKinney; his brother, Henry Lee McKinney and his wife, LaVerna Salter McKinney; by his sister, Celeste McKinney Starr and his brother-in-law, Senator Terrell Starr; his brother, Edward Posey McKinney and his wife Margaret Harms McKinney; and his brother-in-law, Gatha Gilbert, Jr.

Jay is survived by his loving wife, Janet Land McKinney, whom he met at an ice cream church social when she was sixteen years old. It was love at first sight for these soul mates who recently celebrated 75 years of marriage. He is also survived by his precious daughter, Susan, and devoted son-in-law, Cliff Davis; his cherished grand-daughter, Melody and her dedicated husband, Andy Stant; his treasured grandson, Scott Davis; and his beloved great-grandsons, Jameson Stant and Jeremiah Stant. Other surviving family members include his sister-in-law, Patricia (Chippy) Gilbert, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jay's immediate family was small, but their shared love was great. He will be forever thankful that each family member knows Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and is actively involved in serving Him in many ways.

Jay would like to give a special appreciation to his doctors: Dr. Henry Greene and Dr. Clint Collins, as well as Community Hospice of Jacksonville for their medical care and services provided to him in his time of need.

A celebration of Jay's life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM in the Legacy Lodge at Oaklawn Cemetery: 4801 San Jose Blvd. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior at 10:00 AM. A lunch reception for family and friends will be served immediately following the 11:00 AM service. A graveside service will follow the reception.

Rev. Cliff Davis will officiate the service assisted by Rev. Andy Stant and Pastor Greg Harris of Rhema Harvest Ministries.

Pallbearers will be Scott Davis, Andy Stant, Jameson Stant, Jeremiah Stant, Stephen Gilbert, and Eddie McKinney.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

River City Baptist Church: 6801 Merrill Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32277 https://rivercitybaptistchurch.churchcenter.com/giving or

Prisoners of Christ: 6940 Atlantic Blvd. Jacksonville FL 32211 https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/7229092.

Jay will be laid to rest near an oak tree in Oaklawn Cemetery while anticipating I Thessalonians 4:16-17 to become reality.

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."