USMC∼Dennis R. McKinney was born July 8, 1952 in Louisville, Kentucky to the late Mr. Frank and Mildred McKinney (Haynes). Dennis graduated from Shawnee High School in May of 1970. He attended and graduated from Oakwood College in 2000 with a B.A. in Theology and continued at Andrews University, where he received his Masters of Divinity in 2003. Dennis was a hard-working man, and worked for Louisville Housing Authority, General Electric, Faith Presbyterian Church, Oakwood University Physical Plant and South Bend Community School Corporation. He served and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine. He met the love of his life, Athalee Holmes and they were married at the New Life SDA Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Dennis and Athalee labored together in ministry for the church, with particular emphasis in youth ministry. Dennis wrote music for the youth/young adult choir and Athalee taught his music and directed the choir. Their love of children moved them to take in and mentor many children in their community. Besides being a lover of youth and a lover of music, Dennis was skilled with his hands. Dennis could build a home from the ground up and was an excellent artist, with many beautiful drawings created. Dennis answered the call to ministry in various capacities. Not only did he serve as a Deacon, Elder, and Sabbath School teacher, he was instrumental in organizing a pathfinder club at the Brunswick Heights SDA Church in Gary, Indiana. His deep desire and goal was to see souls saved in God's Kingdom. Dennis peacefully departed this life on April 6, 2012 and is awaiting Christ's return. He leaves to cherish his life and continue his ministry, his beloved wife Athalee McKinney; 2 sisters, Kim W. Mathews and Kenya Haynes; 1 brother, Rodney McKinney; 2 children, Dennis Lawless and Winona D. Lawless, all of Louisville, KY; 2 brothers-in-law, Frank (Ruth) Holmes and Willie (Cynthia) Holmes, Jr.; 4 sisters-in-law, Betty Holmes, Shirley (Thomas) Albury, Gloria Butler, all of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Gwendolyn (Ronald) Acklin of Huntsville, AL; grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins; his best friends, Clement Ervin and Louisa Wilson; many other friends and his Church family.