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Phyllis Sparks McKinney
Phyllis Sparks McKinney
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Born on May 8, 1931, Phyllis was the eldest daughter of Robert and Estelle Sparks. A woman of quiet strength, sharp intelligence, and steady kindness, she built a respected career in Mitchell County banking through many years with Spruce Pine Savings and Loan, Northwestern Bank, and Wells Fargo, earning the respect of colleagues and customers alike.
Phyllis was the widow of Kenneth McKinney, and was later married to Max Gouge. She was the loving mother of Gregory McKinney of Stanardsville, Virginia, and devoted grandmother to Eli McKinney of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Daniel McKinney of Reston, Virginia.
She was the oldest sister in a large and close-knit family. Phyllis is survived by her sisters Nina Long and Patsy Connelly, and by nieces and nephews Syna Hughes Lewis, Stacy Hughes, Cameron Buchanan, Heath Sparks, Amy Sparks Young, Christopher Connelly, Heather Connelly Brownfield, and Cindy Long Sullins. She was predeceased by her sisters Emma Dene Geouge, Betty Hughes, Louise Buchanan, and her brother Howard Sparks.
Phyllis enjoyed both the richness of new experiences and the quiet peace of daily life at her beloved home "on the hill" near Penland. She lived with dignity, loyalty, and a generous heart, touching many lives with her steadiness and grace.
A memorial service will be held at Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine, North Carolina on Saturday August 2, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Webb Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Headstrong Project, supporting the mental health of veterans: https://theheadstrongproject.org.
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Phyllis McKinney's name and then you may sign her guestbook. Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mrs. McKinney and is honored to be serving the McKinney family. Mrs. McKinney's obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Ima Whitson Conroy
August 3, 2025
I'm so sorry to hear about Phyllis. Love and prayers to her family.
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128 Roan Rd, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
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