- Date Of Birth: August 29, 1917
- Date Of Death: August 28, 2014
- State: Illinois
Mary E. McKinley passed away Thursday, August 28, 2014, to eternal peace.
She was born August 29, 1917, one of the identical twin daughters of Emery and Gertrude Waid in Winchester, IL. Mary’s beloved husband, Ray McKinley preceded her in death two days prior. Her identical twin, Martha Schell, preceded her in death in 2009.
Mary is survived by her son, Gary Hoyt, two grandchildren, Waid Emery (Brittnae)Hoyt and Allison Mary (Chris) Creighton, and three great grandchildren, all living in Washington state. She is survived by two stepdaughters, Radine Cox of Decatur, IL, and Mary Ellen McKinley of Lakeland, FL, her niece Barbara Stark and husband Geoffrey Clark of Tempe, AZ, and by her cousin Louise Evans, Winchester, IL. Step grandchildren include Kenny (Michelle) McGlade, IL, Dane (Ashley) Jenkins, Davrie (Ken) Dono, Drew Jenkins, and Donnie “D.J.” Jenkins, all of Fl, and four step great-granddaughters. Her brother-in-law, Charles (Jo) McKinley of Versailles, KY, and sister-in-law Geri McKinley of Griffith, IN, also survive her.
Mary was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Winchester in 1928. She graduated from Winchester Community High School May 29, 1935. She received her B.A. from Western Illinois University in 1939. She married George Rodney (“Todd”) Hoyt at the close of World War II. After his death she married Ray McKinley in 1973. She taught public school students at Meredosia, Chapin, and Virginia during 12 years, then joined the staff at the Illinois School for the Blind in Jacksonville for 15 years until her retirement. A nearly life-long Jacksonville resident, Mary was inseparable from her twin sister, and both were active many years in the First Baptist Church choir. Mary was devoted to her family, was an expert cook, enjoyed gardening, traveling and camping, and loved her friends and a good time; she was a cheerful spirit despite experiencing loss of vision and other conditions late in life. She will always remain in the hearts of family and friends.
