Athene Clark McKinnish, Age 94
July 27, 1922 – October 7, 2016

Athene Clark McKinnish passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 7, 2016 at Carolina Village in Hendersonville, NC.

Athene was born in Madison County, but moved to Brevard, NC in 1947 when she married Conley McKinnish. She resided at Triple Streams Farm in Little River, but she spent the last three years of her life at Carolina Village in Hendersonville.

Athene was wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her strong work ethic and moral values made a lasting impression on each member of the family. With her personality, spirit and strong character, she gave each many lasting memories which will sustain her presence long past her physical passing.

Athene was a mother of the home until her children started to enter college. Then she joined the workforce as an employee of Sears and Roebuck in Brevard where she continued to work until she retired. She was a member of long standing at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Brevard (formally Oak Grove) where she taught Bible School and assisted with the children’s Sunday school classes. Athene was also active in the United Methodist Women’s Association and in the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary.

Always physically active, she held memberships at multiple gyms and even had a pull-up bar in her closet to help her maintain good posture. But because of the stylish woman she was, her closet was also overflowing with color coordinated outfits that she used to define her physical and spiritual image. This included matching shoes and hats galore. Gardening was her passion, and it showed in her beautifully landscaped yard and her flower beds at Triple Streams Farm.

Being the active person she was, bowling was also a large part of her life. She loved the sport and bowled on a number of leagues over the years: Olin Cello Belles, Olin Pin Pals, Busy Bees, Tuesday Nite Handicap, Ladies Coffee League and Sunday Mixed League. She even won a number of trophies. Athene loved baseball, especially the Atlanta Braves. She watched all their games and kept stats on the team members.

Athene was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Conley Newton McKinnish, and a daughter-in-law, Jackie Fox. She is survived by her two sons, Rock Conley McKinnish and wife Margaret of Hendersonville, and Richmond “Rick” Dee McKinnish of Wagner, S.C.; daughter, Rita LaVerne McKinnish of Arden and John D. Wallen (deemed her son-in-law without papers by Miss “A”). She is also survived by two granddaughters, Tania McKinnish McShaffrey and husband Keith of Bayville, N.J., and Terra Greenwood McKinnish-Harllee and husband Peter of Boulder, CO; five great-grandchildren, Connor, Elena, Ryanne, Carter and Conley; and her extended family, Blake, Rhonda and Brooke Wallen of Boiling Springs, S.C.

The service will be private. However, a “Celebration of Life” for all that knew and loved her will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 2:00pm in the Magnolia Room at the Assisted Living unit of Carolina Village in Hendersonville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the employee fund at Carolina Village….the people that loved and gave Miss “A” such great care during her last three years: Employee Fund, 600 Carolina Village Road, Suite Z, Hendersonville, N.C. 28792

On line condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

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