Wanda S. McKinney

McKinney, Wanda Sue, age 63, of Birmingham, died August 9, 2016. Wanda was retired from Southern Living Magazine, where she worked for 26 years. During those years, she worked as a Proofreader, Copy Editor, and Travel Writer. Wanda was fortunate to visit many wonderful cities and towns in the South during her tenure at Southern Living. In their travels, Wanda and her husband, Bill, learned to appreciate good gumbo, viewed the Mississippi River from a paddlewheeler, and cheered at the Kentucky Derby. At her retirement, Wanda was given the title of Honorary Kentucky Colonel from her years of writing about the Bluegrass State.

Wanda later worked for St. Vincent’s East Hospital in Birmingham, and for the past several years, she worked at EWTN as an Administrative Assistant. She loved her family, her pets, her friends, and was very grateful for the past 16 years spent trudging the road to happy destiny.

Wanda was preceded in death by her sister, Brenda Kay Britton, and her parents, Rev. Robert E. and Pearl Britton.

Survivors include her beloved husband of 14 years, Bill McKinney of Birmingham, AL; daughter Blair Butler Stewart (James), grandson, Mason, of Spring, TX; son, Adam B. Butler; and stepson Wil McKinney of Huntsville, AL.

The family thanks the doctors, nurses, and staff of St. Vincent’s East CICU, and Optum Hospice Care at St. Martin’s In the Pines for their exceptional, expert, and loving care for Wanda.

Family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 13, 2016, at Ri-dout’s Trussville Chapel. Funeral services will be held immediately following visitation, with Rev. Ed Sims officiating. Interment follows at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Ridout’s Trussville Chapel Funeral Home is directing.