Rosaleen Anne Mckinney

Rosaleen Anne McKinney

Of Valdosta, GA passed away on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 in the Fellowship Home at Brookside. Rosaleen was born on May 11, 1935 to John Joseph and Kathleen Claire Devlin at Lostock Hall in Northern England. She grew up in Fleetwood and went to school in Layton Hill, then graduated from Studley College with an agricultural degree and a Dairying and Marketing degree at University of Worster. As a student she excelled in language arts and science. After college, she moved to Italy and taught at the English Institute in Naples. There she met and married the love of her life and have been truly devoted for 57 years. As a navy family, they moved around the world and spread their roots. Finally, settling in Brunswick, GA, both Jerry and Rose became teachers. Her strong Catholic Faith and love for children led her to teach at St Francis Xavier School from 1974-1989 then moved to St John’s Catholic School in Valdosta, GA from 1989-2001. Her love to learn was infectious and inspired many of her students to become teachers as well. She was an avid reader and bookworm, a lifelong learner, master of crossword puzzles, and enjoyed a good shandy or nice red wine. A variety of music genres brought her great joy including, Charley Pride, Hauser, and Andrea Bocelli. Shopping and gardening was a passion but she took pride in her rose garden. She was a true “Maxxinista” and enjoyed some beer and french fry therapy. Her family meant everything to her and she always put all others’ needs before her own. To be a privileged pet of hers meant they hit the lottery. She loved all creatures, great and small, especially Great Danes. After 50 years of living in the United States and several trips to Atlanta and Jacksonville, she was persistent and became a legal US citizen. She took great pride when voting in her first election in 2016.

Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Jerry McKinney, Valdosta, GA; three children, Susannah McKinney Homans, Valdosta, GA, Jonathan Kyle McKinney (Katrina), Jacksonville, FL and Julie McKinney Bolena (Denis), Jacksonville, FL; nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; sister, Ethnea Montgomery (Patrick), Chesapeake, VA; sisters in law, Beverly Domengeaux, Franklin, LA and Ann Devlin of Yorkshire, ENG.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 12, 2022 in the chapel of Music Funeral Services, Valdosta. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the Humane Society of Valdosta, 1740 West Gordon Street #3017, Valdosta, GA 31601. Kind words and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com . The Rosaleen Anne McKinney family is being served by the professional and caring staff of Music Funeral Services of Valdosta.