Nettie L. Brooks McKinley
March 14, 1923 – July 7, 2020
Nettie McKinley, age 97, of Union Point, GA passed away at Greene Point Health and Rehabilitation in Union Point, GA on July 7, 2020. Born in Oglethorpe County, she was the daughter of the late William Henry Brooks and Florence Lee Lankford Brooks.
Nettie attended Woodville School in Woodville, GA, and graduated from Union Point High School in 1941. She married Thompson Hall from Decatur, GA and they had a daughter. In the early 50’s she married Steve McKinley of Siloam, GA. In their 37 years of marriage, they enjoyed so much, especially camping in the mountains, and were members of camping clubs where they made many friends. For 17 years they spent their summers working in Cherokee, NC; she managed a motel, and he managed a campground. When wintertime came, they were back to their forever home in Union Point. They loved the mountains and Cherokee became a second home to them.
She was a Braves fan, a fantastic cook, a great listener, teacher and friend. She enjoyed crafts of all kinds, and her husband did lots of woodwork supplying wood cutouts for her painting, and other projects. She was a wonderful mother, had a great family, and enjoyed life to the fullest.
Nettie loved nature and animals. In later years, she spent a lot of time watching the beautiful Red Cardinals in her yard, and Bluebirds from her window that nested each year in a birdhouse in the back of her house. After she moved to the nursing home, she delighted in watching the birds visiting the bird feeders hanging outside her window.
She was a Christian and her faith was her guiding light, and she was an inspiration to many. She was a long-time member of Bethesda Baptist Church in Union Point where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was very involved with church activities. She loved Bethesda from the time she began attending at age 12. Rev. Owen Duvall was a huge inspiration for many years as he shared God’s word to her and the congregation.
She loved her family – immediate, brothers/sisters (she was the youngest of 13), and all nieces and nephews. Special recognition to niece, Gail Brooks Spearing, husband George (III), their sons George (IV), and Paul, and their families; Extended families: The Cronics of Union Point, Richard and Ann, Becky and Jeff, Ali Cronic Bell (Shane), and Carson (who she adored and was a light in her life), Mason and his fiancé Lindsey; and Nettie’s dear friend and roommate for five years at the nursing home Barbara Griffith who passed away in May, Barbara’s children, and their families who quickly became Nettie’s extended family. She dearly loved her pastor, Bruce Lovin and his wife Vicki, her fellow church members, the many friends she had for so many years, and those to whom she became close during her five+ years at Greene Point.
Nettie was a true ray of sunshine and will be missed by many.
She is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Elaine Hall of Watkinsville, GA. In addition to her parents and husband Steve McKinley, she was preceded in death by siblings Ollie V. Brooks, Leila Mae Brooks Aderhold, Waver Brooks, Benjamin F. Brooks, Weldon J. Brooks, Calvin Brooks, J. James Brooks, Elizabeth Brooks Allison, Evie L. Brooks Deal, Alvin T. Brooks, and Ruby Brooks Dent.
A private family Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2020 at Greenlawn Cemetery, Rhodes Street, Union Point, GA with Rev. Bruce Lovin officiating. Any memorials may be made to Bethesda Baptist Church, P. O. Box 302, 1560 Bethesda Church Road, Union Point, GA 30669. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad Street, Greensboro, GA 30642, 706/453-2626 is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.
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