Bonnie McKinney-Key

She was a stunning infant, and in 1944, she won the “Most Beautiful Baby” contest, in Houston. Bonnie was born first of nine children. The next six kids were boys (spouses listed)- Jimmy (Gail), Darl (Dianne), Lindy (Mary Doug), Gary (Brenda), Ricky (Nena) and Randy (Glenna) Baker. But when Evelyn, her mother, went to the hospital for the birth of number 8, Bonnie threatened to give away a brother if a new sister didn’t come home! She was growing weary of all those boys! HA!

Well, she got her wish with the arrival of her baby sister, Cathie Lou Baker Tehan (Walter). Oh what a bond they grew to have. Bonnie was allowed to name her sister and she gave her the name Cathie with an “ie” to match her name, Bonnie with an “ie”. Her youngest brother, Damon, came along four years later, and NO boys ever had to be given away.

In all seriousness, the children faced a number of challenges throughout their formative and teenage years, but their bond was quite beautiful and strong, and none of them ever wondered if they were supported by the others. Regardless of how tough the Baker boys were, they were convinced that Bonnie was the toughest, and they LOVED and adored their big sister.

When she was 18 years of age, she married E.D. “Pete” McKinney, June 3, 1962, and in their marriage she gave birth to Eliot Derron McKinney of White Oak, Brendan Blake McKinney of Hampden, Maine, Ethan Brett McKinney of Marshall, Texas, and Rose Evelyn McKinney Ansley (Gary) of Jefferson, Texas.

After 16 years of marriage, her relationship ended. She moved from Avinger, Texas to White Oak, Texas where she began a new life as a single parent and sole provider. She took her first job, outside the home, working at Mill Outlet in Longview, Texas, for $2.37/hr; then the Texas Employment commission for 2 years, followed by 26 years at Good Shepherd Medical Center where she was a radiology clerk. She retired from Good Shepherd, in 2005.

In 1979, She promptly began taking night classes to pursue a degree in Sociology. Her tenacity and fortitude were unparalleled, and she loved learning! Bonnie graduated in 1993, from the University of Texas at Tyler where she was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Bonnie met the love of her life, in 1986, and she married Alton Morris Key, of Marshall, July 3, 1987. It was on their honeymoon, in Galveston, Texas, where she saw the ocean for the first time. It took her breath away! They were married for 34 years until he passed away in December, 2021. Oh, how she loved him, and with his passing, life began to become increasingly difficult for our mother and sister.

In the last 16 years, she has survived breast cancer twice, vocal cord cancer and even laryngeal cancer. She was a fighter and lover of life even after losing her voice. But within the last few months, the recurrence of laryngeal cancer became too much for her and her body. She passed away, peacefully, in the presence of family, on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

She is survived by her children, her grandchildren, Savannah Jade McKinney, Daniel Blane Ansley, William Blake Ansley, Eliot Brett Ansley, Finley Elise McKinney and Lockey Kase McKinney, and numerous nephews and nieces.

It’s so strange to attempt to embody the life of one so dear to so many in only a few words, but I would like to try…

Her thoughtfulness…her phone calls, cards, letters, and gifts brought such joy and comfort to countless people for generations. No one’s birthday, anniversary, special occasion, or just a thank you was ever forgotten by her. She was such a classy lady…such kindness, such magnificent beauty.

Our dearest Bonnie loved her Savior, Jesus, her church, her husband, singing, family, food, tiny things, beautiful things, rainbows, color, high heeled shoes, roosters, Santa Claus, nutcrackers, music, fantasy, imagination, children, teaching, scripture, treating people lovingly, being thoughtful, making birthday cakes, humility, and being generous. She adored pictures, memories, sentiment, smart quotes about anything… especially about humanity and about how ridiculous we humans can be sometimes, laughter, tears, not using too many words and forgiveness. She loved reading voraciously, mysteries especially, studying the scriptures, and just listening to those who needed to talk. She LOVED being a friend.

Oh, how we will miss her beauty, her kindness and her love. We will always love you, Momma…we will always love you, Bonnie Bess.

Rest in peace, our dearest sister, in Christ. We give glory to God for your beautiful spirit and for your life.