Shirley May McKinney, age 78, a longtime resident of Grays Harbor, died on Jan. 3, 2019, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital. She was born on Feb. 28, 1940, in Yakima, Washington. At the age of three, she came to Grays Harbor with her family.

During the 1970s, she had worked as a cook at Casa Mia and as a bartender at the Show Boat Tavern in Hoquiam. She then operated a day care from her home in the 1980’s before working as a cook for Grays Harbor Health and Rehabilitation Center for over 20 years. Shirley had also decorated cakes of all types with her daughter, Theresa Thomas. She was also a sought-after baker and had made pies for local stores and Grant’s Bakery. She was considered to be Super Woman because she always had time to devote to her children, grandchildren and great grandchild in addition to all of her activities.

Shirley also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with her friend, Phyllis Volkmann.

Surviving relatives include her four children, Donald Thomas, Allen (Bonnie) Thomas, Theresa Thomas and Dale Thomas; a brother, William “Bill” Watkins; six grandchildren, Sarah Thomas, Crystal Green, Whitney Thomas, Christopher Thomas, Breanne Thomas and Forrest Hille; great-grandchildren, Maycie George, Jasmine George, Kadie Palmer, Hunter Thomas, Aubree Thomas, Randall Hunter and Elena “Boo” Green and a great-great-granddaughter, Angel George.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob McKinney, a granddaughter, Angel Thomas and her brother, Clarence Watkins Jr.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, at South Aberdeen Baptist Church, 620 Fordney Street, Aberdeen, Washington.

Direction is by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.

Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on-line register at www.colemanmortuary.net.