Carol Arlene McKinney was born to Horton and Thirza (Long) Abbott on October 15, 1937. She passed away Saturday, November 13, 2010 in Inola, Oklahoma at the age of 73 years and 29 days.

Carol graduated from North High School in Wichita, Kansas. In June, 1969, she moved to Inola, Oklahoma with her three children to be closer to family. She worked many years at an Auto Parts Store that her brother owned. It was there that she met her true love, Don McKinney, who was the Postmaster for the Inola Post Office.

Don and Carol were married on December 4, 1970 at Inola United Methodist Church. Carol was definitely a people person. While working at Inola Drug, she had often said her favorite thing was greeting the customers and helping them with their needs. In her spare time, she enjoyed shopping and camping at the lake in their RV. Being a member of the Postmaster's Organization, it allowed them to travel to the yearly conventions. Traveling was one of Carol's favorite things. She and Don traveled all over the U.S. making some great memories. Another hobby Carol enjoyed was working on crafts and researching genealogy. She was very involved in the Methodist Church, working in VBS, and was active with the United Methodist Women's group. She was also a wonderful caregiver to her mother, Thirza, while she was in the Inola Health Care Center. Carol's life changed forever in December 1998, when she suffered a severe stroke that hindered her from speaking and walking. However, with much physical therapy she was able to come home. Her husband, Don, was a wonderful caregiver to her for the next eleven years and made her life as normal as possible. Carol will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Carol is survived by her husband, Don, of the Inola home; three children, Danny White, of Wichita, Kansas, Brent White and wife, Jill, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Kim Tankersley and husband, Ray of Bristow, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Michelle Gobin and husband, Curtis of Wagoner, Oklahoma, Josh White and wife, Lara, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Jordan White and wife, Lauren, of Webb City, MO., Breana White of Broken Arrow, Michael Tankersley of Edmond, OK, and Ryan Tankersley of Stillwater, OK; and four great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Gene Abbott, and her grandson, Mark White.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 16, at First United Methodist Church, Inola, with Pastor Brent White officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery under the direction of the Inola Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will be Mon. 1:00-8:00 pm funeral home, where family will be receiving friends from 6:00-8:00 pm.
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Carol Arlene McKinney
October 15, 1937 - November 13, 2010
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Inola - Carol Arlene (Abbott) McKinney, 73, homemaker, died Saturday. Services pending. Inola Funeral Home.