Michael Herman McKinney, age 78, of Prior's Cove Road in Bakersville, NC went home to be with the Lord on April 27, 2024 surrounded by family at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.

Michael was born November 22, 1945 to the late Herman and Dollie Bowman McKinney in Bakersville. He graduated from Bowman High School in 1964, where he enjoyed playing football. He was also a talented painter and played the piano. His teacher had him paint a mural of Roan Mountain and rhododendron on her classroom walls.

Michael  was a dairy, cattle, and tobacco farmer, as well as a logger and truck driver throughout his working career.

He was a member of Roan Mountain Baptist Church and especially loved his Sunday school class. One of Michael's fondest childhood memories was going camping on Roan Mountain with the church RA group.

Throughout his life, Michael was known for being dependable and always willing to help others, expecting nothing in return. He was often called upon by other cattle farmers in the area for veterinarian purposes. Michael was such a caring, meek, and gentle person who loved caring for animals, especially his two dogs, Ruby and Pippa.

Michael enjoyed watching sports, and was an avid Redskins, Tarheels, and Braves fan. He also loved going on beach trips and vacations with his family. Most importantly, Michael loved reading his Bible, and had read it completely through eight times.

Survivors include: his wife of fifty six years, Jane Buchanan McKinney; two daughters: Cindy Ballew (Mike) and Kelly Barnett (Merle), of Bakersville, NC; three brothers: Roger, Jim, and Roy Lee all of Bakersville, NC; two sisters: Betty Farris of Southern Pines, NC and Cathy Foulk of Spruce Pine, NC; four grandchildren: John-Michael Stafford (Eden), William Barnett (Hannah), McKenzie Stafford (fiancé Jordan Buchanan) and Colby Stafford; one great grandchild: Harper Stafford; and his mother in law, Betty Buchanan,

Michael was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his sisters Josie McMahan and Elenore Buchanan, and one grandchild, Angel Stafford.

Special thanks to Megan Vestal of Hopscotch Primary Care for her outpouring of love and compassion as Michael's physician. Also, thanks to the staff of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital and Hospice and Home Care of the Blue Ridge for their outstanding care.

Services for Michael will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Roan Mountain Baptist Church in Bakersville, NC. Visitation will be from 1pm to 2pm, funeral service beginning at 2pm,  with Rev. Mark McKinney, Rev. Russell McKinney, and Rev. Larry Greene officiating.  Interment will follow in the Green-Young Cemetery.

Donations to Hospice and Home Care of the Blue Ridge are much appreciated.