Shirley Laverne Hale McKinney was born December 12, 1921 in Bardwell, Texas, in Ellis County, to Albert Thomas and Nancy Appolonia Hillyer Hale. Shirley graduated from Bardwell High School and earned a BS degree with a major in Speech and English from Texas State College for Women, and a BS degree in Library Science from North Texas State University.

A career educator, Shirley taught school for 31 years, teaching classes in English and Speech. She also served as school librarian at Fredericksburg High School, and in the junior and senior high schools of Blanco and Johnson City, Texas.

On May 31, 1959, Shirley married the love of her life, Robert K. (Bob) McKinney, in the First Methodist Church of Fredericksburg, Texas, and moved to Johnson City, where Shirley was a homemaker and partner in Bob's business endeavors. She later resumed her teaching career and retired from teaching in 1983.

Upon retirement, Shirley and Bob enjoyed traveling, dancing, and being part of their grown children's families. Together they enjoyed 30 years of marriage which ended with Bob's death in February 1990.

A life-long United Methodist, Shirley was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Georgetown, the Pathfinders Sunday School Class, and the Faith Circle of United Methodist Women.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her children, Michael Thomas McKinney and wife Gloria, of Denton; John Eric McKinney and wife Jane, of Georgetown; and Mary Scott Brucks and husband Art, of Mansfield. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Rob McKinney and wife Sarah, Alissa McKinney Parham and husband, Charlie; Erin McKinney Reynolds; Rachel Brucks Bullion and husband Jack; Rebecca Brucks Pulliam and husband, Commodore. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Collin Parham, Norah McKinney, Abigail Reynolds, Claire Reynolds, Sloane Bullion, Merritt Bullion, Avery Pulliam and Everly Pulliam.

Graveside services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the Masonic Cemetery, 609 Nugent Ave., Johnson City, TX 78636.

A memorial service celebrating Shirley's life will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 3, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of Georgetown, 410 E. University Ave., Georgetown, TX 78626.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the McKinney Love Fund of First UMC Georgetown, the Pathfinders Sunday School Class of FUMCGT, Faith Circle of UMW of FUMCGT, the Getsemani Center of FUMCGT, the Wesleyan Homes Benevolent Fund, or a charity of your choice.