Katherine Velma McKinnis

Katherine Velma McKinnis, 87, entered into rest on Friday, October 13, 2017 at her home in Modesto, CA with her family by her side. Katherine was born in Gouldsboro, ME on April 30, 1930, raised in Ashville, ME and was a resident of Modesto for the last 57 years.
Katherine is preceded in death by her loving husband of 18 years, Harold C. McKinnis; her parents, Helen and Edgar Lindsey; and her sister Dorothy McKenney.
She is survived by her children, Harold S. McKinnis, Star, ID, Pam Sornoso, West Covina, CA, Ralph E. McKinnis, Madera, CA, Dale W. McKinnis, Modesto, CA and Elaine Whitesel, Riverbank, CA; and her brother, Burton Lindsey, Maynard, MA. She is also survived by her 16 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Katherine proudly served her country by enlisting in the United States Air Force at a young age. She was a lifetime PTA member and a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts; she enjoyed gardening, playing solitaire, and sewing, especially needlepoint. She loved to write letters to friends and family, everyone enjoyed receiving handwritten letters from her and she loved receiving them back. She had a particular love for lighthouses, growing up in Maine she had a front row seat to the most beautiful beaches and lighthouses the east coast had to offer and she loved being near the ocean whenever possible. Katherine was a woman of faith and attended bible study regularly; she will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Franklin & Downs Funeral Home is honored to be serving the McKinnis Family. A Celebration of Katherine's Life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017 beginning at 10:00am at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home, 1050 McHenry Avenue in Modesto, CA. Katherine will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at Acacia Memorial Park at a later date.