Marshall "Mark" Thomas McKinney

Marshall “Mark” Thomas McKinney , 88, of Athens passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Dominion Senior Living in Athens.

A Native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, Tennessee, he was a son of the late John Wesley “Ted” and Elsie Lorene Brown McKinney and was preceded in death by a sister, Peggy Ann Crittenden Sisk and a brother, Jerry Dale McKinney .

He was a Christian and was baptized in September 1952 at Spring Creek Church of Christ, where he was a faithful worker, class teacher and served as an elder for many years. He enjoyed the friendship of fellow Christians and attending the monthly singing. He would start his Sunday mornings watching “In Search of the Lord’s Way” at 8:00 am on Channel 12 Chattanooga.

He was a member of the U. S. Air Force, serving as an administrative clerk while stationed with the 1952nd AACS Sq, at Toul Rosieres Air Base in France.

He enjoyed his years at North City Grammar School, playing tennis and basketball and was a graduate of McMinn County High School.

He was an employee of Mayfield Dairy Farms for 38 years, playing on the bowling and softball teams. He was a baseball coach and served as the president of the Riceville Dixie Youth Baseball League. He was co-owner of McKinney Coal Sales and Services.

He was an avid U.T. and Atlanta Braves Fan enjoying trips to out of town games with family and friends. His most enjoyable times were times spent at home eating, playing horseshoes, corn-hole and on trips spent with his children, grand-children and great-grandchildren in Gatlinburg . He and his wife, Reba, enjoyed traveling for many years to foreign countries with friends, Richard “Dick” and Connie Brakebill. He enjoyed gardening and the time spent with his mother-in-law, Opal King, in the spring getting the tillers and things ready to put out the garden and care for the lawns.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years Reba Sue King McKinney; son & daughter-in-law, Stuart Thomas and Carol McKinney; 3 daughters and spouses, Marsha Kincaid, U. S. Navy, Ret., Libby and Don Brown, and Lori and Trent Giles.; two sisters, Linda and Denzil Watson and Janice and Alvin Shoemaker; 8 grandchildren, Jeff Hinshaw, and Patrick Hinshaw, Jeff Brown, Travis Brown, Hunter McKinney, Haley McKinney, C.J. Giles and Nic Giles. Several great-grandchildren. Several Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral services will be 3:00 P.M. Friday, May 30, 2025 at Spring Creek Church of Christ. Burial will follow in Upper Spring Creek Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P .M. at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens, TN.

A special “Thank You” to the caregivers, RA’s, CNA’S, LPN’S; RN’S, Rebecca Henderson FNP and the staff of Dominion Senior Living, for the care given to Mark and his family and the comfort received from Chattanooga Hospice.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Upper Spring Creek Cemetery Fund, 174 County Road 115, Athens, Tennessee 37303.

Those unable to attend may leave condolences for the family at https://www.laycock-hobbs.com/obituaries/marshall-mark-mckinney

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in charge of arrangements