Nancy G. McKinley

Nancy Goss McKinley, age 88, of Woodstock, Georgia passed away on May 18, 2025. She was born on February 9, 1937 to Joseph and Dorothy Goss in Jenkinjones, West Virginia (yes, that is a real place). She worked in many capacities over the years, including as a medical receptionist, but her greatest roles were that of a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She is survived by her three children, Sharon Eisenzopf (Reinhard), Mary Jo Williams (Joe), and John McKinley, Jr. (Holly); grandchildren, Eric Eisenzopf, Kurt Eisenzopf (Nicole), Lisa Lee, Brogan Williams, Sara Williams, Garrett Williams, Patrick Williams, Benjamin McKinley, Abby McKinley, and Camden McKinley; great grandson, Connor Eisenzopf; two great-granddaughters, Mikayla Lee and Mikenzie Lee; sister, Judy Mallory, and brother, Eddie Goss. Nancy is preceded in death by her husband Jack (1991) and her husband Edward Rzesa (2018), her infant son Daniel, her parents Joseph and Dorothy Goss, her brother Jerome, and her sister Carol.

Nancy grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains and could have been considered one of the original pioneer women. As the daughter of a coal miner and school teacher, she had humble beginnings and was raised in a very small house with her parents and four siblings. She left Appalachia for the big city, living in San Bernardino, Washington, D.C., New York, and Atlanta, where she lived the last 46 years of her wonderful life.

She was an avid golfer in her younger years and hardly ever missed a chance to cheer on her beloved Atlanta Braves. She was also a huge fan of her grandchildren on the basketball court, soccer field, softball field, and wherever they needed Nancy the Super Fan’s support. Her children and grandchildren were her main focus in her later years, and she was always there with a kind word, piece of (usually unsolicited) advice, sharp wit, and questions (so many questions!) about their lives.

Nancy was a deeply faithful woman who firmly believed that she would be reunited in Heaven with those she lost during her journey, especially Jack.

Her family knows she is now there with all of them, at peace, and looking after all of us as we celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society: https://svdpgeorgia.org