Eliajah Lee Mckinney

Elijah Lee 'E. J. ' McKinney, 16, of Johnson City, died Sunday, December 16, 2012 at the Johnson City Medical Center. He was a native of Johnson City, son of David Lee McKinney and Julie Ott. Elijah was a former student at Unicoi High School and presently was attending Happy Valley High School. He played football at Unicoi and was of Non Denominational faith. Elijah enjoyed playing with his younger brothers and helping others when they needed him. He was preceded in death by both his grandfathers; paternal grandfather, Doug McKinney and maternal grandfather, James W. Smith, Sr.; a brother, Aaron David McKinney. Survivors include: his father, David L. McKinney of Johnson City; his mother and her husband, Julie Ott of Johnson City; step-father, Kevin Ott; paternal grandmother, Yvonne McKinney and maternal grandmother, Carol Joy Smith both of Johnson City; three brothers, Matthew McKinney, Jonathan Ott and Daniel Ott all of Johnson City; a nephew, Gage McKinney; a special paternal Uncle and Aunt, Bryan and Cindy McKinney of Unicoi; maternal Aunt and Uncle, June Smith and James W. Smith both of Johnson City; a very special great Aunt and Uncle, Roger and Sue Miller of Elizabethton; five first cousins, Joshua and Hannah McKinney, Logan, Noah and Shiloh Smith; several great uncles, aunts and cousins. A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, December 21, 2012 at 8:00 pm in the South Chapel of the Morris '? Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, under the direction of Rev. Donny Reagan and Rev. Paul Webb. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until time of service at 8:00 pm. A committal service will be at 11:00 am in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Family and friends are asked to assemble at Morris '? Baker to leave in procession by 10:30 am. Active pallbearers will be: Logan and Noah Smith, Joshua McKinney, Bryan McKinney, James W. Smith, Jr., Roger Miller and Michael Miller. Honorary pallbearers will be the football team. Memorials may be made to: Disabled Veterans; c/o, Boone Dam VFW, 830 Minga Rd., Kingsport, TN 37663.