Clara Betty Jean McKinney peacefully departed this life on November 10, 2012 in Peoria, Arizona surrounded by family. She was born January 10, 1936 in Chesnee, South Carolina to Jaffer Nell and Corrie Dodd McKinney.
Clara grew up in Johnson City, Tennessee and attended Douglass Elementary and Langston High School. She later moved to Cleveland, Ohio and settled in Arizona. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers James R. Ernest Sr., Charles H., and Clarence E. McKinney; sisters Frances M. Alexander, Margaret Ann and Eula Mae McKinney, children Enid, Virginia, and Kenyatta.
She is survived by a sister Lollie M. Surratt of Johnson City, Tennessee. Four children Patricia Bizzell, Johnson City, Tennessee, Pamela(Cecil) Smith, Jerry(Valerie) Vaught of Cleveland, Ohio, Katrina and Cassandra Vaught of Peoria, Arizona. She has fourteen grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and three step-great grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her passing several cousins, nieces, nephews, three sisters-in-law Marion B., Carole H.., and Edna J. McKinney. Lifelong friends Ruby Smith and Elva Morrison and Life time friends of Cleveland Ohio.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 24th at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Temple Eternal Life Center, 208 Garden Drive with District Elder Mark Redd, Pastor officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:00 p.m. prior to the service.
