Johnnie Lee McKinnie

November 30, 1946 ~ January 21, 2022 (age 75)

Johnnie Lee McKinnie was born November 30, 1946 in Hickory Valley, TN to the late Leon and Lue Ella McKinnie as the first child of nine siblings.

His funeral service was held on Saturday January  29, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Jerome Boyd Chapel at Dixie Funeral Home with Pastor James Patterson in charge.  Burial was in the Bolivar Community Cemetery in Bolivar, Tn and Dixie Funeral Home www.dixiefuneralhome.com was in charge of the professional service.

He quietly departed this life on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Jackson Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, TN.

His funeral service was held on Saturday January 29, 2022 at 2:00 at the Jerome Boyd Chapel at Dixie Funeral Home with burial in the Bolivar Community Cemetery.

He accepted Christ at a young age and joined New Hope Baptist Church of Hickory Valley, TN.

His family later joined Greater New Hope Church of Bolivar under the leadership of his beloved Pastor, Elder James Patterson. In 1979, the Lord gave Johnnie the vision to draw the blueprint of the church in the shape of a cross. He was instrumental in completing the building of the church in 1981. He was an active, faithful, loyal, and devoted member of his church where he served as a Deacon, Choir Member/Song Leader, Trustee, Van driver, and Financial Director for many years. He was also a founder/teacher of the Young Editor’s Soul-Searching Bible Band (1978) at New Hope. His passion was studying the Bible and he used his gift of teaching to inspire others about Christ. He had a great interest in teaching from the book of Revelation until his death. His teachings were heard both locally and as far as Africa.

Johnnie was united in holy matrimony to the love of his life, the late Earnestine Allen, in 1986. They kept the vow, “Till death do us part,” for 28 years until God called her to rest in 2014. They raised two boys and one girl together. He was a loving and supportive husband, father, and grandfather. He has many accolades attributed to his honor during his lifetime: In 1965, he graduated from Bolivar Industrial High School. After graduation, he attended Mississippi Valley State College, but was later drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969.

He fought in the Vietnam War and was Honorably Discharged as a Sergeant E5 in 1970. Afterwards, Johnnie attended Memphis State University majoring in Chemistry. He received his bachelor's degree and furthered his education with certifications in Human Resources. He was employed by the Bolivar Tannery, United Parcel Service (UPS) and ended his working career as a Director/ Investigator of the Hardeman County Developmental Center. He leaves to cherish his fondest memories: Kelvin (Sholonde) Allen of Olive Branch, MS; Bradley Allen and LaTasha Allen, both of Jackson, TN; grandchildren, Kourtney, Kirra, Kylyn, Kelvin Jr., Kimberli, Mercedes and Madisen and one great grandson, Nicholous Jr. His siblings are Robert (Jeanette) McKinnie of Kansas City, MO; LC (Mable) McKinnie of Jackson, TN; Bishop Curtis (Alice) McKinnie of Memphis, TN; Verna Harper, Melvin (Gertrude) McKinnie and Linda McKinnie, all of Bolivar, TN; Sandra Hicks of Arlington, TN. Preceding him in death was one brother, Bishop Willie T. McKinnie