Wilma Josephine  McKinney was born in Mound City, Illinois in 1928, to

the late Cleveland and Beatrice Carter Forbes. She was the third child born in a family of seven girls and two boys. Josephine, as she was called in her younger days, was surrounded by loving, religious parents who made sure all the children attended Sunday School, church services, and BTU (Baptist Training Union). As a result, Josephine had an active relationship with the Heavenly Father all her life.

Josephine graduated from Lovejoy High School in Mound City as valedictorian and received aBachelor of Science Degree from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. She later received a master’s degree from Chicago State University and an Advanced Degree from the University of Chicago. She started teaching in the Chicago School System in 1952 and worked at various schools as a teacher and librarian until she retired from Crane High School in 1992. 

After graduating from college, Josephine moved to Chicago and met the love of her life, Thomas Casey McKinney. They were married in 1951 and had three beautiful children: Thomas Casey Jr., Joanne Marie, and Marian Louise. Thomas and Josephine celebrated 50 wonderful years of marriage in 2001 and were married for 55 years. After marriage Josephine became known as Wilma McKinney, which caused a little confusion with her old friends and family. They soon adjusted.

Wilma was a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church for 57 years where she taught Sunday School and worked with the Girl Scouts. She served the church in several positions, including the Ladies Aid Society, SCOR (Senior Citizens of Resurrection). She served as president of the Lutheran Theatre Guild and was on the Board of Directors of the Resurrection Lutheran Federal Credit Union for over 30 years. 

The family lived in the West Chesterfield community on the south side of Chicago for over 35 years before moving to Hazel Crest. Wilma served as the secretary for the West Chesterfield Association and sponsored a Girl Scout Troop in the community. After moving to Hazel Crest, Wilma continued her extensive volunteer work. She became a Commissioner for the Seniors Group where she served for six years and won a Cook County award for being the volunteer of the year in the Village of Hazel Crest.

Wilma loved socializing with her peer group. Monday afternoon was her favorite time of the day when she would go to the Hazel Crest Senior Center to play bid whist with her friends. Wilma loved traveling with her family and her Senior tour groups. One of the most enjoyable experiences of her retirement life was working as a “grandparent reader” in the Hazel Crest school system. Another rewarding experience of her life was co-chairing a committee that organized the All-Lovejoy School Reunion in 1998 which was held in Mound City. Approximately 100 people attended, and the reunion became a biannual event over the next 20 years.

Wilma Josephine was preceded in death by her mother and father, Cleveland and Beatrice; her husband, Thomas Sr.; three brothers, Cleveland (Jessie), James (Elvena), and Abner Forbes (Ruth); five sisters, Lula Mae Allen (William), Almena English, Sarah Mae Johnson (Booker), Violet Marie King (Fate), and Mary Ella Forbes; two brothers-in-law, Robert Johnson and Arthur Long; one daughter, Jerilyn McKinney Giwa (Musibau); and one son-in-law, Wayne Morris.

Wilma Josephine is survived by two sons, Thomas Jr. (Camille) and Ian (Linda); threedaughters, Barbara Ball, Joanne Morris, and Marian McKinney; two sisters, Shirley Johnson andSylvia Long; one brother-in-law, William English; and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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