R. Barbara (Grant) Mckinney

R Barbara McKinney, 96 passed away Oct 26, 2022, peacefully at home.

Barbara was born in Youngstown OH August 1926, the 6th of 8 children born to Mamie Joan Keith and Dennis U Grant, Sr. At age 3, during the Great Depression, her parents moved the family to a farm in New Middletown OH.

She graduated from Springfield Township High School, New Middletown OH in 1944 during World War II. She was able to celebrate the end of the war while at Wilberforce University, Wilberforce OH working to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry & Math.

1948 proved to be an exciting year for Barbara as she was initiated into Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; graduated from Wilberforce and got married, all in the same year.

She met a handsome young veteran named Eugene Robert McKinney while at Wilberforce. They were married for 43 years until his death. To this union was born, 3 spectacular children: Gayle Denise (Bass), Eugene Robert Jr and Anthony Grant.

Barbara, Eugene and the children traveled the world spending extended time at Tachikawa Air Force Base, Tokyo, Japan and Griffiss AFB, Rome NY. In 1970, they settled in South Kansas City with Eugene working at Richard-Gebaur AFB, Belton MO. while Barbara pursued a career in Secondary education. She started with KCMO Public Schools as a math & science teacher at Southeast High School and there quickly moving into administration. Noted as the 1st African American female Assistant Principal in the district, she was lovingly referred to by Southeast staff and students as “Our Lady of the Castle”. She furthered her education traveling back and forth to Warrensburg MO earning a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision 1975 from Central Missouri State University. In addition her time at Southeast, Barbara worked in administration at several schools in the district over the years, including Southwest High School, Bingham Middle School, Northeast and East High Schools. She retired from KCPSD in 1990 to care for her ailing husband until he passed in 1991.

Barbara loved life and was determined to live it to the fullest. Aside from being an avid gardener, traveling tournament bowler & Swope Park league golfer; she was an enthusiastic life long KC Chiefs football team fan. She held season tickets for more than 20 years. Barbara loved to travel visiting 41 of 50 states and 12 countries including a trip to Hawaii in 2017 to celebrate her 90th birthday and cruise the islands. She most recently flew to Denver CO.

Barbara was active in many KC institutions over her long life, serving as volunteer, officer and/or dedicated employee at AARP Tax Aide at the Ivanhoe Center for 10 years, KC Election Board - Poll Judge 5 years, ABWA (American Business Women’s Association) - Trailblazers Chapter past President, Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Gamma Beta Chapter Kansas City, KS, Internal Revenue Service, Bannister site 2 years - Tax Examiner and S.P.R.O.U.T.S. – Swope Parkway Health Center volunteer group. She enjoyed many years of active membership in the Masonic Family, Elect Ladies #15 - Order of the Eastern Star, Missouri Jurisdiction – past matron, Queen Marlex Court #233 - Order of Cyrenes, and Allah Court #6 – Daughters of the Desert.

She was “Pearl” member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; active for more than 74 years in both Xi Tau Omega, Grandview MO and Mu Omega, Kansas City KS Chapters.

In 2017, She was recognized as an “Unsung Octogenarian” by the TJB Foundation for her service to the KC community.

She is preceded in death by both parents; husband, Eugene Sr; brother Dennis Jr; sisters Ann Greene, Ida Adams, Viola Mapp, Dorothy Harris and Joan Field.

Left to mourn her loss are all 3 children; sister Lucile Moore in Menifee CA, age 98; grandsons; Theodore Bass, Milwaukee WI and Gregory (Taneisha) Bass, Oklahoma City OK; eight great-grandchildren; 2 nieces, Veronica and Veta; 6 nephews, Timothy, Herman, Robert, Keith, Scott,

Edward; dear friend Mary King and a host of friends.

She shared a deep love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and chose to serve him by helping others. She spent her life as a dedicated disciple striving to bring glory to His name.

A SBC member for 30 years since 1992, she was a Sunday School Class #2 member, Sunday School past Superintendent, Treasurer & Secretary, Nannie Burrough’s Mission Circle member & past officer, Budget Control Officer, Trustee Board member, Celestial Choir member, Vacation Bible School teacher, Mission Group – member, Church Bus Driver, Women’s Day Program - Co-Chair, 139th Church Anniversary - Co-Chair, BTH&H Club - member & past officer, Relief Workers Club - member & past officer, Bible Study member – Sunday 4pm and Wednesday 12noon, Youth Achievement Day Program – Chair, Ellison/Mays Tutoring Program – math tutor, Children’s Church w/ Rev John Brown worker and Finance Team – Sunday collections counter.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 AM on Friday, November 11, 2022 at Second Baptist Church of Kansas City, 3620 E. 39th St. Kansas City, MO. A visitation will be from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Kansas City.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 AM on Friday, November 11, 2022 at Second Baptist Church of Kansas City, 3620 E. 39th St. Kansas City, MO. A visitation will be from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Kansas City.