LaNelle McKinney

LaNelle Williams McKinney, of East Brainerd, another member of the "greatest Generation" departed this life on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at age 92.She was born March 9, 1919 to a large and loving Chattanooga family. She married Roy C. McKinney in 1940, and while Roy was fighting in the Battle of the Bulge she joined in supporting the war effort by processing the troops mail at Fort Oglethorpe. From this point on a spirit of service and sacrifice shone throughout her life.After the war LaNelle devoted her life to raising three sons and to teaching ladies and children's bible classes at the East Brainerd and East Ridge Churches of Christ. She was the first teacher in the East Brainerd churchs nursery school, and her decades of teaching children profoundly influenced the hundreds who learned from her teaching and Christian example.LaNelle was predeceased by her parents, J. Luther Williams and Mary Caldwell Williams; siblings, Bernice, Mildred, Paul and Roy Williams, Kate Murphey and Joni Wright and her beloved husband of 65 years.She is survived by a brother, Roland Williams; sons, Roy (Mary), Kevin and Steven; granddaughters, Krista McKinney (Dr. Gerd Duscher) and Dr. Karyn (Dr. Amir) Marvasti. She was delighted to be "Pooh" to two great-granddaughters, Ariel and Ayla Marvasti, and her life was enriched by her many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to give special thanks to Hospice of Chattanooga and to the wonderful caregivers in the Hospice Unit of the Health Center at Standifer Place.Please visit www.heritagefh.com to view the memorial tribute and to share words of comfort with the family.Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga or to the East Ridge Church of Christ Mission Fund.Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 2, 2011, in the Heritage Funeral Home Chapel with Minister Charles Cochran officiating.Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery.The family will receive friends from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday at Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga.