Lorie Ann McHone McKinney, 65, a beloved mother and grandmother, passed away onOctober 8, 2026. 

She was born on July 14, 1961, in McDowell County, North Carolina, to Robert Lee McHone and Nora Claudette McHone. Lorie was raised in Spruce Pine and moved to Bakersville in 1985 when she married Charles Philip McKinney. Lorie remained there throughout most of her life, raising her two daughters Tara & Nairi.

Lorie worked as a Direct Support Professional, helping people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She had returned to college to pursue an associate degree in social work when she suffered a debilitating stroke in 2009.

Lorie loved reading and exploring her family’s history through genealogy. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning, and sewing, sharing the things she made with her family and loved ones. These were more than hobbies to her—they were ways to care for those she loved and share a part of herself with them. Her favorite part of the year was the annual McHone reunion, which she missed attending after her health began to fail.

In 2024, Lorie moved to The Greens in Spruce Pine, where she resided until her passing.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Lee McHone, who passed away on May 29, 2017; her paternal grandfather, Willard Andrew McHone, who passed away on November 28, 1996; her maternal grandmother, Gladys Pauline “Polly” Grindstaff, who passed away on October 12, 1988; and her maternal grandfather, Ambrose Lee “Andy” Grindstaff, who passed away on December 26, 1988.

She is survived by her mother, Nora Claudette McHone; her two daughters, Tara McKinney Jaynes and her husband, Derick Jaynes, of Elk Park, North Carolina, and Nairi St. Germain and her husband, Zachary St. Germain, of the Swiss Pine Lake Community in Spruce Pine, North Carolina; her four granddaughters, Allyson, Ava, Oaklyn and Kinsley St. Germain; and her grandson, Mason St. Germain. She is also survived by her brother, Kenneth Lee McHone, and his wife, Elizabeth McHone, of Burnsville, North Carolina; her niece, Cherish Hensley; and her nephews, Zachary & Anthony McHone.

A celebration of Lorie’s life will be held on October 10, 2026, at 5 p.m. at Woodlawn Baptist Church, 7873 US-221, Marion, North Carolina. Pastor Alvin Carpenter will officiate. All friends and family are welcome to attend.

Care of the McKinney family has been entrusted to Beam Tri- County Funeral Service.