From Mount Zion Baptist Church:

Mount Zion Baptist Church Mourns the Sudden Loss of Former First Lady Louise McKinney. The community will celebrate her life at two services.

August 16, 2012, Seattle, WA – A wave of shock and sadness rippled through Seattle as church and community members received the news that former first lady of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Louise Jones McKinney had passed early Wednesday morning, August 15, 2012.  Mourners are expected from all over the Seattle community and the country as they deal with this great loss, but celebrate the life of the woman who touched so many.

After having spent well over 40 years as the First Lady of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Mrs. McKinney stayed loyal to the church and the mission of spreading God’s word.  Hardly a Sunday passed where she wasn’t in the second row, along with her husband, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney.

Senior Pastor, Rev. Aaron Williams says Mrs. McKinney was a light in the lives of so many. “Now that she is no longer with us, we celebrate her legacy and have an obligation to work diligently to make sure that her commitment to education continues to be at the heart of our mission as a church.”

Mrs. McKinney may have just celebrated her 82nd birthday in July, but she remained vibrant through the many hugs, smiles and stories from the church’s children every Sunday.  In fact, children and youth had a special place in Mrs. McKinney’s heart.  As a former educator, she was very interested in the academic achievement of every child. She always focused strongly on their grades and began a scholarship ministry, which has given several hundred thousand dollars in higher education scholarships to date.

As someone who discovered the arts at a young age, Mrs. McKinney also encouraged children to explore the arts.  Some young girls came to love Mrs. McKinney not only for her joyous, caring spirit, but for her elegant sense of style and fashion.

Mrs. McKinney was also very involved in the community. There is probably not a regional politician who hasn’t heard her name.  A savvy businesswoman, she co-owns a number of businesses at the Seatac Airport which included a partnership with the Hudson News Enterprises.

No one word will ever describe Mrs. McKinney. She meant so much to people of all ages and we are blessed to have had her in our lives.

The wake will be held Thursday, August 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall 1119 8th Ave. Seattle, WA.

The Celebration of Life service  will be held on Friday, August 31 at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Zion Baptist Church at 1634 19th Ave., Seattle, WA.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Mount Zion Baptist Church Scholarship Ministry in honor of Louise Jones McKinney.