Funeral services for Reggie McKinney, age 75, of Jonesboro, LA will be held 11:30 A.M. Monday, February 17, 2025, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in Ruston. Officiating the service will be Bro. Geary Phillips. Interment will follow in Gayla Traina Cemetery in Jonesboro, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.
A Visitation for family and friends will be prior to the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. until service time at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel, 209 North Bonner, Ruston, LA.
Reggie met His Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Forest Haven Nursing Center in Jonesboro. He passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was preceded in death by his parents, James E. McKinney and Dora Jean (Costin) McKinney; brother Randy D. McKinney of West Monroe; Paternal Grandparents, Ernest and Maebelle McKinney; Maternal Grandparents, Viola Copeland Upchurch, all of Jonesboro; and Charlie Costin of Bastrop. He was also predeceased by his Step-Grandfather, R. G. (Gordon) Upchurch; his Paternal Great Grandmother, Ida Seymore McKinney, both of Jonesboro; and his son-in-law Garrett McGowan of Ruston.
Reggie, an entrepreneur, was in the automobile sales business for most of his life. He also operated McKinney Grocery in Jonesboro, as well as “Fatty’s” Drive Inn. Reggie grew up in the Fifties and Sixties, and he Loved his oldies but goodies music, including artists such as The Temptations, Fats Domino, Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Dianna Ross and The Supremes, The Four Tops, and The Four Seasons.
Reggie was always “the life of any party,” and whether at his home, or in his nursing center room where he resided for a number of years, if he knew company was coming, he had his music playing. Not only did he enjoy his music; he also knew every word of every single song! Sometimes, friends and visitors found difficulty in having a serious conversation with Reggie, as he would suddenly turn up his music and start singing, mid-conversation!
He loved family and friends, and it was never difficult to get them to come over because Reggie loved great food and was a great cook! He was known for his Shrimp Creole, Shish-k-Bobs, and for cooking great steaks! Reggie hosted the very best of Christmas get-togethers for his family in his home, and it was never unusual for friends or extended family to “drop in” on Christmas Eve, uninvited, as they all know that they would be welcomed by Reggie.
Reggie loved to have fun and making his friends and family laugh! He could make people laugh, even during difficult circumstances. As a matter of fact, Reggie often added a light note to sometimes difficult circumstances faced by using humor.
And, of course, all who knew Reggie were aware of his love for politics. Whether it was a local election, a district wide election (especially District Attorney and Sheriff’s Elections), or Presidential Elections, Reggie McKinney always had his “marked” ballot, and he was constantly sharing it with others. “Win, Lose or Draw,” as he would say, Reggie was whole-heartedly with his candidate, and he was a fierce political competitor.
Most important though, Reggie believed in his Lord and Savior, and he looked forward to the time when he could meet those who he loved, in Heaven. And with this, we know that he is rejoicing!
Reggie is survived by his daughters, Katie McKinney McGowan of Ruston and Christi McKinney Permenter and husband, Chris, of Hodge; two grandchildren who were lights to his life, Hunter Alexander of Quitman and Bridget Alexander of Hodge; sister-in-law Cindy McKinney; and niece, Mallorie McKinney, all of West Monroe.
Reggie is also survived by a host of friends, all of whom he counted as family. If you were ever a part of Reggie McKinney’s family, then you always were. Surviving Reggie, as well, his “grandbaby” dachshunds, Coco and Pearl.
The family wishes to express their eternal gratitude to the amazing staff at Forest Haven Nursing Home, who have loved, and taken such good care of him over the last 8 years. We would also like to thank Charlotte and the staff at Ascend Hospice for their care and support.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; online at stjude.org/donatetoday or to the Full Gospel Temple in Jonesboro, the church he was raised in. Their address is 773 Walker Road, Jonesboro, LA, 71251 or Text to Give at 318-351-2529.
Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Golden, Russ Golden, Andrew D’Avy, and Hunter Alexander. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Johnson, Floyd Miles, Dane D’Avy, John Golden, and Chris Permenter.
