Norma Jean McKinney
Obituary
Norma Jean McKinney of Seattle passed away March 25, 2023 as courageously as she lived. She was 81.
She was born December 30, 1941, to the late Lorene (Marks) Bizzell, at home in Banks, Arkansas. As a young child, she, her Mother and Stepfather, Jesse Marks moved to Vanport, Oregon during the great migration. She survived the Vanport Flood of 1948, and graduated from Jefferson High School and married her long-time love, Herman McKinney, Jr. in 1959. They lived together with their three children in Portland and Astoria, Oregon before relocating to Seattle in 1967.
Norma was ambitious, self-taught, and of a rare organic intelligence which won her great admiration and professional success in Human Resources for the Commercial banking industry and Government. She had a long career in banking and eventually retired as Director of Personnel for the City of Seattle in 2006. She was funny, quick witted, light hearted, a fierce fashionista and kind to her core. She was a great beauty and took pride in that. She was a family favorite, and as a dear cousin once described Norma’s spirit as a child, “She’d wake up and be singing”. She was a voracious reader, a consummate host, an amazing and creative cook, and she liked to dance. She was devoted to her family, and loved us all so deeply and without judgement.
She earned a certificate at Harvard Business school, and as an HR leader mentored many during her career in banking and at the City of Seattle. She was a participating member of the First AME Church, Seattle, and an Alumna member of the Greater Seattle Chapter of the Links. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, role model and friend.
Norma was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, Jeffery. She is survived by her three children, Kristal McKinney, Kevin (Carrie) McKinney and Kent (Angela) McKinney, her siblings Helen Burns, Debbie Marks and Sydney (Ernest) Roberts, eight grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and countless extended family members and friends. She is forever in our hearts and will never be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to a charity doing works for the well-being of Black Americans.
Funeral services will be held on April 28, 2023 at 11a.m. at First AME Church-1522 14th Avenue, Seattle
