Stoney Varise McKinney

Stoney Varise McKinney, age 77, of Long Beach, MS, passed away on June 29, 2021 in Gulfport, MS. He was born on December 16, 1943 in Weeksbury, KY. He attended Ohio University, University of Southern Mississippi, and was proud to serve in the United States Air Force, a branch of the Navy, and the US State Department. Stoney was preceded in death by his parents, Stonewall and Gladys McKinney and a son-in-law, Tommie Lee Ford, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sherry McKinney; children, Michelle Ford, and Shaun McKinney (Kelly); grandchildren, Ashlie Moran, and Brendon, Mackenzie, Tanner, and Brantley McKinney; sisters, Charlotte Collins (Dan), Nancy Harris, Jan Jennings (Scott), Karen Williams (Charlie); brother, Rodney McKinney (Jackie); and numerous nieces and nephews. Stoney lived his life for God, his country and his family. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church of Gulfport where they enjoyed Pastor Dan Carr’s sermons. While Stoney was in the military, he served as a classroom and field instructor of his military peers and civilian counterparts before being selected and trained in Washington DC for Embassy duty world-wide. His 1st assignment was Washington DC followed by Moscow, Russia, and Beijing, China. Stoney was never too busy to donate his time for the community. He coached soccer, baseball, and basketball. He enjoyed traveling with the boys to camps all over. He was the first local man to bring amateur athletic union involving basketball to the Gulf Coast which led to taking the team to a national championship tournament in Oklahoma City. Stoney loved George Jones and University of Kentucky basketball. A funeral service will be held at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at Faith Baptist Church, 8467 Canal Road, Gulfport. Friends may visit from 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the McKinney family.