Shirley Jean McKinney, 92 of Pensacola, FL passed away Sunday, December 2, 2018.

Born July 16, 1926 in Enon, WV, Shirley was one of nine children born to Clyde B. and Eria J. Legg. She attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse where, as a fast runner, she was often first to be picked for games. In a dream-come-true, Shirley became a proud Navy wife, marrying her sweetheart, LTJG, Forest O. McKinney of Beckley, WV on January 1, 1945. After Forest separated from the service following World War II, the couple settled in Louisville, KY where Shirley honed her housekeeping skills while Forest attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Back in the Navy, the couple began their travels; but in spite of frequent transfers, their three children, Oliver Forest, Wilma Jean, and Gregg Allen, were all born in the same hospital in Kenova, WV. Shirley loved the adventure of traveling to each new duty station while Forest's career as a pilot took them from Florida to North Carolina, Texas to California, Georgia to Maryland, and Newfoundland to Hawaii. Three years spent on Kwajalein, in the Marshall Islands was the highlight of their Navy travels. Shirley vividly remembered many evenings when she walked to the beach and sat watching the moon rise over the Pacific. Following Forest's retirement from the Navy as a LCDR, the couple lived for 15 years in Phoenix where Forest served as a juvenile probation officer and Shirley worked in quality control for Motorola and helped staff their church thrift store. A second retirement brought Shirley and Forest back to Pensacola where they became active members in Olive Baptist Church and enjoyed special occasions with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, LCDR (ret.) Forest McKinney; daughter, Wilma and daughter-in-law, Mary McKinney.

She is survived by her sons, Oliver and Gregg McKinney of Pensacola; grandchildren, Matthew McKinney and Chandra and Eric Brigham; great-grandchildren, Kara and Gavin McKinney, and Jake, Kyle and Logan Bedford; sisters, Patty Summers and June (Nink) Peck; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will begin at 12:00pm Tuesday, December 11, 2018 followed by the Funeral Services at 1:00pm from Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, Rev. David Morris officiating. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Smile Train ( www.smiletrain.org/donate ).