Hettie Mc Kinney

Hettie Whisman-McKinney of Cranford, NJ died November 22, 2013 at the age of 82. Her visitation and Life Celebration will be Tuesday, November 26th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm with an Eastern Star Service at 8:00pm at Gray Memorial Funeral Home 12 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, N.J. (go to www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences). Graveside services and burial will take place on Saturday November 30th in Campton, KY. Visitation will Saturday be from 12 to 1 pm at Porter and son Funeral Chapel with Rev. Doyle Thomas officiating. Born in Campton, Kentucky on May 18, 1931, she was daughter of the late Ray and Elizabeth Whisman. Hettie moved to Jersey City, NJ in 1950, before moving to Cranford in 1969. Hettie retired from Bristol Myers Squibb in 1993 after 23 years. She began her career working for Bond Clothing Stores in Newark, New Jersey for fifteen years. Mrs. McKinney was an active member of Azure Chapter 87 Order of the Eastern Star serving the chapter as treasurer. She was also a Past Grand Representative of Alberta, Canada and Past Worthy District Deputy of the 14th District. Hettie married Melvin McKinney on October 1, 1949 in Lexington, Kentucky. They were married for 56 years before Melvin passed away in 2005. She was predeceased by her brothers Telford Whisman of Vandelia, Ohio and Arthur Whisman of Dayton, Ohio. She is survived by her brother Herbert Whisman of Dayton, Ohio and many nieces and nephews. Two special nieces who lived with Hettie and Melvin for several years are Sherri Whisman-Maleki and her husband Amir of Cary, NC and Barbara-Ann McKinney-Krumeich and her husband Jerry of Morristown, NJ. Their children Kaitlin Krumeich of Galway, Ireland, Nicholas Maleki and Rayna Maleki of Cary, NC were like grandchildren to Hettie. Memorial contributions may be made in Hettie's memory to The Masonic Home 902 Jacksonville Rd, Burlington, NJ 08016.