Marie Virginia Price McKinney

Marie Virginia Price McKinney passed into her Eternal Life of March 10, 2019. She was 95 years of age. Marie was born in Melrose, FL on February 15, 1924. She went to Melrose High School and was Valedictorian of the class of 1942. She worked as a dental assistant at Camp Blanding after graduating and then she and her husband, Vernie Thomas, owned and operated the Santa Fe Service Station, established 1948 in Melrose, FL She has been a resident of Gainesville since the late 1950’s and worked as clerical assistant in the tax collector’s office of then husband, Shellie McKinney. Marie’s surviving family loves and misses her deeply; her daughter, Verna McKinney Owen; her granddaughters, Jennifer Owen and Christine Owen and great grandsons, Leo and Rylee. Also loving and missing her are her sister, Eloise Cox, and nieces Anne Baker and Pat Hague. Marie was preceded into Eternal Life by her husband, Vernie Thomas, her mother, Georgie Price, and father, Charles Price and brother Bubba Price and relatives all of Melrose. Also preceding her in life was late husband, Shellie McKinney and relatives of Gainesville. Marie was the most giving of herself, to all who knew her; her family, friends and every little animal that she had a chance to give a good home to! She enjoyed time at our lake place on Cow Pen Lake and every yard at every residence she had, was a beautiful botanical garden. Her home was always a welcomed place of love, family, friendship to each. She was truly such an incredibly beautiful person in every way. Marie Loved to dance and enjoyed country music and Elvis Presley. She, earlier in life, attended Gator football games and later on, you would find her supporting the Gator games on television each Saturday. Mostly, it was her passion to bring happiness, good health and insure a good life for her family and all her beloved pets continually throughout her life. We, her family, have been so blessed to enjoy life with her in every way known. And as for all who knew her in her early school days, youth thru the beauty of 95 years. I would like to quote the last couple of sentences of her 4 page well written Valedictorian speech she made in 1942. She said “We wish each of you many years of health and usefulness. And if we ever meet on the great highway of life, I assure you, you will meet true friends.” This was throughout her life, her precious and enduring nature, compassion, integrity, self and love and consideration of her family and friends. Arrangements have been under the care of Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Downtown, 404 North Main Street, Gainesville, FL. A Family celebration of life for Marie will be planned in the near future, as we celebrate her beautiful life in spirit each and every day.

Marie Virginia Price McKinney

February 15, 1924 - March 10, 2019