Mother Mozelle Louise McKinnine, affectionately called “Punny" by her beloved husband Paul, was born on February11, 1939 in Bamburg South Carolina, to the late Benjamin and Florella Hightower. After migrating to Queens, NY, she attended Public School 42 and later graduated from Woodrow Wilson High school. It was then that she met and married her soul mate, Deacon Paul McKinnine. Out of this union was born six children: Diane, Eddie Preston, James Jr., Amanda, Mark, and Stacey.

Mother McKinnine, who was affectionately called "Tilly" by her daughter Stacey, was extremely creative and gifted. She enjoyed sewing, painting, decorating, and crocheting. Some of her specialties were hats, ponchos and blankets.

There was never a morning in the fall that she didn't wear one of her beautiful creative designs to work. Not only was she a designer, but she was a dedicated and devoted wife, and an "AMAZING MOTHER". She was determined to help provide a better life for her family and as such, worked at Pathmark for 30 years. It was a happy day when all the hard work paid off and the McKinnie family moved into their beautiful new home. Our mother along with our father said "JESUS DID IT". Thank you Dad and Mom!! And it was a greater day on a Tuesday night in 1978 when the Lord saved and filled Mother McKinnie with the Holy Ghost at Community Church of God In Christ. Shortly after, the Lord saved her soul mate, Deacon Paul McKinnie, and filled him with the Holy Ghost in noonday prayer.

Mother McKinnie was a "Happy Person", she loved to laugh, dance, and give. She was always the first one to testify in church and you couldn't beat her and Shepherd Mother dancing. She was the president of the Mother's Board, she sang with the Mother's In Zion choir and she was apt to teach and preach. Mother McKinnie loved to dress and always looked so beautiful in her church hats.

In the early hours of Sunday July 17, 2016, Mother McKinnie ascended to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In heaven she will join her husband, Deacon Paul McKinnie, her son Mark, her granddaughter Audrey, her great grandson Donavan, her sister Eardell Halsey, her brother Benjamin Hightower, her mother in Law Lucille McKinnie, her Parents, and son in law Charles Rutledge. She leaves to rejoice: a good son, James Paul Jr., three good daughters: Diane, Amanda, and Stacey. Grandchildren: Pastor Rasheen Rutledge, Jamal McKinnie, Mozelle Mckinnie, Naomi and Erica Brown, Jordan and Judea Hartley, and Mark McKinnie Jr. Two son in law’s: Dr. Richard Hartley, and Mr. Kevin Brown and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The family would like to give special thanks to Mother Shirley Turner for all of her help and support.

Lovingly Submitted,
The Family

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