Bessie McKinney was born Bessie Lewis Murphy to Lewis and Maggie Murphy, February 1, 1927 in Coosa County. She was one of three children, the others being Adolphus and Robert Murphy.

She was a member of Good Grove Baptist Church until she passednfrom this life. The actual date of her conversion is not known, however, the fruit was evident in how she lived her life.

On July 12, 2013 as she slept, Bessie McKinney passed from this mortal life into immortality to forever be with the Lord.

Through her marriage to Ezekiel McKinney she bore children: Doris, Charles, Benjamin, and Rodney who preceded her in death; Sandra (Tommy) Barris of Equality, AL, Kennard (Linda) McKinney of Rockford, AL , Wanda (Billy) Heard of Jacksons' Gap, AL: Rena' McKinney Reese of Montgomery, AL and Tangie (Morris) Lauderdale of Huntsville, AL. She also leaves to cherish her memory a sister-in-law, Emma Murphy; a nephew, Samuel (Barbara) Murphy . She was blessed to have and to see fifteen (15) grandchildren and ten (10) great grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by other relatives and friends.