Rev. Harold Lloyd McKinnish, 80

The Rev. Harold Lloyd McKinnish, 80, of East Flat Rock went to his Heavenly Home Wednesday,
Aug. 21, 2013.

He was a native of Henderson County. His family moved to Hendersonville in the Clear Creek area in 1920 from McKinnish Cove, Buncombe County, where his ancestors had settled in the early 1800s from Scotland and Ireland.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd M. McKinnish and Margaret Pace McKinnish; a sister, Virginia M. McCrary and two nephews, Billy and Benny McCrary.

Harold McKinnish, sometimes called the "Baptist Bishop of Henderson County", served as pastor of nine Baptist churches, including Tuxedo, Fletcher, Ebenezer, East Flat Rock, Refuge in Henderson county. In addition, he served churches in South Carolina, including the Mountain View Baptist Church in Spartanburg, Calvary Baptist Church in Greer, and the Hicks Grove Baptist Church in Chesnee. He preached over 17,000 sermons, officiated over 2500 funerals, led numerous revivals across the southern region, and provided spiritual counsel to many people in the time of need. In addition to his skills as preacher and pastor, Harold McKinnish knew how to work with his hands. He honed the art of brickmasonry for supplementary income and personal enjoyment and then taught many students from Edneyville High School the skill of laying brick.

Graduating from the Edneyville High School in 1951, Reverend McKinnish also completed a degree at the Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute (1956), and studied at the North Greenville Junior College.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Lois Griffin McKinnish; a son, Jim McKinnish and his wife Kim of Hendersonville; a daughter, Linda McKinnish Bridges and her husband Tilden Bridges of Winston-Salem, NC; three grandchildren, Josh McKinnish and his fiancé Amanda Kimbrell, Amber McKinnish McCall and her husband Zach, and Kyle McKinnish Bridges and three great granddaughters, Addison, Avary and Ayla McCall.

A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the East Flat Rock First Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Linda McKinnish Bridges, Reverend Brent Thomas, Reverend Sandy Beck, Reverend Tilden Bridges officiating. Jim McKinnish and the grandchildren will provide special music. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Saturday from 12 PM to 4 PM and 6 PM to 8:30 PM at the East Flat Rock First Baptist Church.

We will remember him in various ways but most will remember his love for faith and people. When recently asked what was most important about his life, he replied, 'I didn't aim for position . . . I didn't aim for prestige or salary . . . . I really did this life work as minister of the gospel because I really do love people. I have always been interested in people. I have wanted to know people—to be a part of their lives and to be an encouragement to them along life's journey."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Lois Griffin and Harold McKinnish Scholarship Fund, Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute. This special fund will honor the ministry of Harold and Lois McKinnish providing financial support for a young student planning to serve churches in North or South Carolina. Please send your donations to Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, 1455 Gilliam Road, Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792.
Donations may also been sent to the:
The Gideons
P.O. Box 6284
Hendersonville, N.C. 28793

Carolina Baptist Association
601 Hebron Road
Hendersonville, NC 28739

Condolence cards may be sent to the family atwww.jacksonfuneralservice.com or PO Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793