A Celebration of Life Service was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Grenada for Sue Wood McKay, 84, of Birmingham, Ala., a former longtime resident and beloved teacher in Grenada, who died on Monday, Sept. 18, at her residence. Private burial followed in Oddfellows Cemetery in Grenada.
Sue was born on Jan. 10, 1939, in Marion, Ark., the daughter of the late Alta Laney Wood and the late Jessie Donovan Wood. She graduated from Forrest City High School in 1957, and then attended Mississippi University for Women and Millsaps College where she graduated with a degree in mathematics in 1961. It was in Columbus that she met her husband, Henry “Earl” McKay Jr.
The couple lived in Jackson for several years where she taught mathematics at Murrah High School. Sue then moved to Grenada with Earl in 1966, where she continued her teaching career for more than 40 years. She taught high school mathematics at both John Rundle High School and Kirk Academy. After completing her master’s degree in mathematics in 1985 at Delta State University, she began teaching at Holmes Community College in 1987.
Sue was very dedicated to her profession and truly loved helping her students achieve success. She was also an active member of First Baptist Church in Grenada for many years, teaching Sunday school and serving on several committees. During her time in Birmingham, Ala., she attended Meadow Brook Baptist Church where she was president of the senior choir and served on several prayer committees.
In addition to her parents, her loving husband of 58 years, Earl McKay, preceded Sue in death.
Survivors include, two children, Carolyn McKay Taylor of Grenada and Dr. Henry Earl McKay III (Sara Lynn) of Birmingham, Ala.; grandchildren, Henry Earl “Hal” McKay IV, James Lucas “Luke” McKay, Margaret McKay Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor Jenkins (Kade) and a sister, Carolyn Wood Pope of Columbus.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the building fund of First Baptist Church in Grenada.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
