Essie Mckinney

Mrs. Essie Mae McKinney was born January 5, 1932 in Jonestown, Mississippi to John and Dora Llord Burton. She gained her wings on Friday, January 4, 2019 at the blessed age of 86 years.

Essie was a southern belle. She moved from the south to the north but never lost or forgot her southern roots. She lived in Toledo, Ohio before journeying to Michigan. She met Eddie McKinney in Detroit, Michigan. The two fell in love and moved to Saginaw, Michigan and were married at Zion Missionary Baptist Church by Dr. Roosevelt Austin. She was a faithful member of Zion until God called her home.

Essie was a seamstress and could sew or repair anything. She loved watching television, especially comedic shows. She was funny in her own right and was able to imitate anybody. She was a wonderful homemaker, loving mother and grandmother. Her absence will be felt but her presence will always be remembered.

Essie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Dora Burton; son, Eddie Daniel Brown; sisters, Willie Mae Pierson, Ruthie Mae Love, Hattie Lumpkin, Daisy Burton; brothers, Wilber, John, Joe and Riley Burton; mother and father-in-law, Louis and Rosie Lee McKinney; sisters-in-law, Beatrice McKinney, Georgia Mae Crenshaw, Rosie Lee Anthony and Ethel Barr.

She leaves to cherish her memory husband, Eddie McKinney; daughters, Dorothy Brown, Barbara Brown, Mable Brown-Jones; sons, Frederick Allen McKinney, Karnell (Jennie) McKinney; stepsons, Eddie Lewis McKinney, Sylvester McKinney; grandchildren, Shalimar (Yasaar) Mohammed, Eric Buell, Sarina Brown, Essie Brown, Robert “Baby June” Brown, William Duane Brown, Mary (Aaron) Taylor, Dr. Angelo (Amber) Brown, Dominique Brown; nineteen great-grandchildren; brother, Charlie Burton; play sister, Lodree; special nieces, Rosie (Melvin) Scruggs, Charline Wright; brother-in-law, James (Virginia) McKinney; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.

The family would like to express special thanks to Lodree for being such a great friend to our mother, Mary from Pretty Girl Salon, Pastor Rodrick Smith and the Zion Church Family, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.