Raymond E. McKinney

Raymond Edwin McKinney was born in 1953 in Hamilton, OH to Herman Lee McKinney Sr. and Annie Mae Brown.

As a child Ray and his sister Cliffie and brother Herman would go to church with their mother, this church formally known as First Pentecostal Bibleway Church.  Bibleway was instrumental in Ray’s life, this is where he was brought to salvation and his faith began.

Unfortunately, his mother suddenly passed away while Ray and his siblings were still very young.  Ray being just 9 years old at the time, Bibleway stepped in to rescue Ray and his siblings.  Pastor Lenora Jenkins and her husband E. D. Jenkins adopted their sister Cliffie into their family and Sister Julia Ruffin from Bibleway Church brought Herman McKinney (his older brother) and Raymond who was in grade school at the time to live with her.

Ray attended Lakota High School where he enjoyed playing on the basketball team.  While living with Aunt Julia, Raymond continued to go to Bibleway, and Aunt Julia made sure of that.  In the summer of 1972 Raymond attended church camp in Zanesville, OH where he met Patricia Ann Blythe, his future wife. 

After graduation from Lakota High School, Ray married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Blythe in 1973.  Together they had three children; Ray Scott, Stephen Alexander, and Candice Renee McKinney.

Ray worked at Continental Can for 35 years as a maintenance operation and union steward.  After retiring from Continental Can, Ray acquired his Realtor’s license and was employed with Caldwell Banker until his health took a drastic turn in the year 2016 after suffering a massive stroke.  Because the seriousness of his illness, Ray was placed in the Batavia Nursing Care facility, and while there, he was consistently in and out of the hospital.  During this time his loving and faithful wife of 46 years was by his side.  However, it came to an end in January, 2019. 

Ray is survived by his wife Patricia Ann, his sons Ray Scott, Stephen Alexander, and his daughter Candice Renee; and grandchildren: Rayvaughn McKinney, Skylar Kelly, and LeBryan Kelly.  Also survived by his sisters; Cliffie Bess and Luella McKinney and a host of nieces and nephews.

Ray is proceed in death by his parents, Herman Lee McKinney Sr. and Annie Mae Brown; his brother Herman Lee McKinney Jr., and nephew Damian Preston McKinney.

Ray was an easy going, soft spoken and humble man.  He loved the Lord, he was a worshiper.  Ray will be deeply missed by his family.  Rest in Peace Ray.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond E. McKinney, please visit our floral store.