WILLIE TOBE MCKINNIE

April 13, 1948 ~ July 12, 2017 (age 69)

Willie Tobe McKinnie was born April 13, 1948 in Hickory Valley, TN  to the late Leon and Lue Ella McKinnie as the second child of nine siblings.  He quietly departed this life on Wednesday,

His funeral service was held on Wednesday July 19, 2017 at 12:00 pm at the Greater New Hope Church with Pastor James Patterson in charge. Burial was in the Bolivar Community Cemetery and Dixie Funeral Home www.dixiefuneralhome.com was in charge of the professional service.

July 12, 2017 at the Jackson Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, TN.

He accepted Christ at a young age and joined New Hope Baptist Church of Hickory Valley, TN.   His family later joined Greater New Hope Baptist Church of Bolivar under the leadership of Elder James Patterson.  He accepted his calling into the ministry of Jesus Christ in 1979.  Under God's guidance, he founded the Good News Holy Deliverance Church in Bolivar, TN.  As part of his ministry, he started the Good News Crusade Radio Broadcast which has been airing for over 20 years each Saturday.

Bishop McKinnie has many accolades attributed to his honor during his lifetime: In 1966, he graduated from Bolivar Industrial High School.  He served with the U.S. Army in Germany during the Vietnam War as a Medic and was honorably discharged in 1971.  His educational accomplishments included receiving a Bachelor of Science  in Psychology/Sociology from Austin Peay State University in 1975.  He also received a Master of Arts in Psychology/Counseling in 1978 from East Tennessee State University.  In  2012,  he retired as Guidance Counselor from Bolivar Middle School after 32 years of Perfect Attendance.  As a counselor, he started 'The Clean Club,' which educated students about the dangers of drugs.  

His first term as City Councilman was in 2002.  During his last term, Bishop McKinnie served as City Commissioner of both the Bolivar Fire and Police Departments until June of 2017.  Along with his responsibilities as councilman, Bishop McKinnie has served on the City of Bolivar Budget Committee, the Imagination Library Committee and the Bolivar-Hardeman County Library Board.  He was also an active member of the Hardeman Retired Teachers Association and the NAACP.  In December of 2016, he was honored to serve as the Grand Marshall of the Bolivar Christmas Parade.  

He leaves to cherish his legacy and fondest memories:  Brothers:  Johnnie (the late Earnestine) McKinnie of Bolivar, TN; Robert (Jeanette) McKinnie of Kansas City, MO; LC (Mable) McKinnie of Jackson, TN; Bishop Curtis (Alice) McKinnie of Memphis, TN; and Melvin (Gertrude) McKinnie, Sr., of Bolivar, TN.  Sisters:  Verna Harper and Linda McKinnie, both of Bolivar, TN and Sandra Hicks of Memphis, TN; 42 nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives, friends and special prayer partners.  Preceding his death were his parents, the late Leon and Lue Ella McKinnie.

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