Helen Russell McKinney, age 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 12th, 2025, surrounded by her beloved family and those she held dear.
Helen was a native of Townsend, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Martin and Dicie Webb Russell; sisters: Wilma, Ann, Billie and Susie; brother, Howard; as well as son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Rachel McKinney.
Helen was devoted to her family and community. She loved growing her garden and cooking, sharing with everyone. Sewing and knitting were some of her favorite hobbies. Her greatest passion was in serving the Lord. She willingly gave her entire life to spreading the gospel of Christ, and was a tremendous prayer warrior.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Bill McKinney; daughter, Kim Huskins; granddaughters: Lauren Robinson (Charles) and Anna Gilbert (Brian); great-granddaughter, Ashlyn Dahlberg (Blake); great-grandsons, Zachary Robinson and Hunter McKinney; great, great-grandson, Archie Dahlberg; daughters of the heart: Donna (Cricket) Winters, Deborah Young and Teresa Young; niece, Kaye Dennison; nephews Mike Rogers and Scott Sullivan, as well as a host of friends and church family.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17th, in the chapel of Yancey Funeral Service. Rev. David Gillespie and Rev. Phillip Hughes. Burial will follow in Faith Fellowship Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 1 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
The family would like to extend special thanks to her dedicated caregivers, Deborah Fender and Anna McCourry, as well as the Compassionate Care WNC staff of nurses, CNA’s and social workers who provided Helen and her family with exceptional care and support. The family also sends a very special thank you to Hospice nurse, Kim Ogle, because they could not have made it without her.
Memorial donations may be made to Compassionate Care WNC at 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.
To send online condolences, please visit: www.yanceyfuneralservice.com
