Shirley Jean (McKinney) Newman

Reflections of Her Life

Shirley Jean (McKinney) Newman was born on September 22, 1937 in Kansas City, Kansas to Jesse Calvin McKinney, Sr. and Bessie Naomi (Burgess) McKinney. Her father preceded her in death October 7, 1953 and her mother on November 9, 1967. She was the youngest of nine children but was raised alongside nieces and nephews, as her siblings were already adults around the time of her birth.

Shirley received her early education in the Kansas City, Kansas school district attending Douglas Elementary, Northeast Junior High and graduating from Sumner High School in 1955. After high school, she received her licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and a Registered Nurse (RN) from Kansas City Kansas Community College. She later received a BSN in Nursing from St. Mary’s University in Leavenworth, Kansas and also worked as a Parish Nurse. She worked in the healthcare industry for nearly 40 years.

Shirley accepted Christ at an early age and grew up attending First AME Church where she remained a member for more than 50 years. While there she served as President of the Usher Board, served with the Youth Department, served in the Willa Gill food kitchen and served in the Mary F. Handy Women’s Missionary Society. She later joined Greater Pentecostal Temple where she served on the hospitality committee. Later on, she joined The New Bethel Church where she was a member for over 7 years until her ailing health.

Shirley shared the joys of parenthood with former spouse Floyd A. Newman, Jr. and to this union six children were born; Ricardo, Stacey, Carmen, Lucretia, Lucinda, and Nichole.

She was preceded in death by her children, Stacy V. Newman, Ricardo A. Newman, Sr., Lucretia S. Newman Cruz and granddaughter, Maya J. Newman. As well as her siblings, Dorothy Green, Eleanor McKinney, Jesse McKinney Jr., Harold McKinney, Wilmer Estell, Marilyn Smith, Arline Glover, and Ruth Audrey Thompkins.

She leaves to celebrate her life three daughters, Carmen Y. Lee (Michael) of Kansas City, KS, Lucinda A. McDowell (Gregory) of Grandview, MO, Nichole A. Daniels (Jonathan) of Kansas City, KS, 15 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one special niece Barbara Jean Smith, of Seattle, WA, and godson Rev. James Pace (Evelyn) of Kansas City, KS.  Plus, many more friends, nieces, nephews and other relatives too numerous to name.

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