Judy Heath McKinnon was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated from Ensley High School. She attended Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. She was a lifelong lover of gardening and music, playing piano and singing in numerous choirs since the age of 13 years. In 1970, she performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as a member of the chorus performing Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. She was a member of several Garden Clubs, both in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Birmingham, Alabama, where she won numerous awards for her flower arrangements. In addition, to music and gardening, she was an accomplished seamstress and a loyal member of the Birmingham Quilter’s Guild.
Julian Beachel McKinnon was born in Douglas, Georgia and graduated as Valedictorian of Coffee County High School. He attended South Georgia College and graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia where he was elected a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honorary society. During World War II, he served in the glider corps in the European theater and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1946. After the war, J.B. began a distinguished career with the United States Steel Corporation where he was involved in evaluating corporate labor contracts. In retirement, he embraced the game of golf and worked for many years at Eagle Point Golf Course, and of course, he was an ardent fan of University of Georgia football.
Judy and J.B. enjoyed spending time with their family. Survivors include their daughter, Ellen Colton (Kenneth) and grandchildren, Clare and Alexander of Montclair, New Jersey; Judy’s sister, Jean Heath Williams of Birmingham; and J.B.’s sister, Gail McKinnon Lowry of Orlando, Florida and many cherished nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on September 28 at 11 AM at Danberry at Inverness, 235 Inverness Center Drive, Hoover, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at 424 East 92 Street, New York, New York 10128 or aspca.org. Many thanks to all for your expressions of sympathy.
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