Edith Hodges McKinney of Salemtowne Retirement Community, born on March 3, 1920, died on Saturday, July 11 at Baptist Medical Center. She was the daughter of Robert Walker Hodges and Flossie Whittington Hodges. Edith was born in Horry County, SC. Edith attended Green Sea High School, where she graduated valedictorian in 1939. She then moved to Gastonia, NC where she graduated from Evans Business College. She worked for many years at Goodwill Publishers Inc., where she did bookkeeping and was an office manager. In 1942 she married Ralph W. McKinney, and they were married for 65 years, until his death in 2007. Edith was a member of First Baptist Church in Gastonia, where she was involved in many aspects of the church, including teaching Sunday School, being President of WMU, and serving as a deacon. She later moved her membership to College Park Baptist Church when she moved to Winston-­Salem. She was a loving wife and mother who devoted herself to her family and was always there for them. She had a gift for finding the positive in every situation, and a strength of character that was evident in all that she did. Her family was always proud of her actions and her loving kindness to all. Her shining blue eyes and her beautiful smile will be missed by everyone.

She is survived by her daughter Linda McKinney Mathers and her husband, Marshall; son Fred R. McKinney and his wife, Caite; beloved granddaughter Ceili Siobhan McKinney; sister Darthy H. Stephens; nephew Jerry Hodges; nieces Ila Pearl Lily, Carolyn Hilburn, Glenda Mott, Shari Green, Sandy Stephens, and their families.

Her funeral will be on Wednesday, July 15, at 1:00 p.m. at College Park Baptist Church, with visitation following the funeral. Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, in Bakersville, NC.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to College Park Baptist Church, Salemtowne Resident's Fund, First Baptist Church of

Gastonia, or the Winston­-Salem Salvation Army. Online condolences may be sent to www.salemfh.com .