Donald Lee McKinney, 91 of Raleigh, died Thursday afternoon, February 19th 2015.

Donald was born in Evanston, Illinois, on July 12, 1923, but his family moved to Washington, D.C., two years later. He enrolled at the University of North Carolina in 1942. In 1943 his studies were interrupted when he entered the U.S. Navy. He returned to UNC in 1946, earning his degree in English and Journalism two years later. McKinney was a magazine editor for over 30 years, a writing professor, book reviewer, and author. Most recently he published his second book, a novel titled “Murder of a Modern Woman”.

Donald is preceded in death by his sister Carol Grace McKinney and his wife Mary Joyce McKinney. He is survived by his daughter Jennifer McKinney Magnus and husband Tom of Sarasota, Florida; and his son Douglas Guy McKinney and wife Jennifer of Raleigh, NC; and his three grandchildren; Maegan Dobner, and her husband Scott, Caroline McKinney, and Robert McKinney.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, February 24, 2015, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh NC 27615, followed by a funeral service at 2:30pm, in the Renaissance Funeral Home Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Inter-faith Food Shuttle, P.O. Box 14638 Raleigh, NC 27620. Condolences: rfhr.com

* As of 11:30 am 02/24/2015 this service has NOT been cancelled. Please check back for updates or call us at 919-866-1866