Beverly Jean Vanderford was born on October 4, 1950, in Fulton, Kentucky, to the late Wardell (Buster) McKinney and the late Gwendolyn Johnson-McKinney. She passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois. She was a resident of South Fulton, Tennessee.
Beverly was a high achiever both academically and socially. She attended and completed her education at Cayce Elementary in Cayce, Kentucky, Riverview High School in Hickman, Kentucky, West Kentucky Vocational School in Paducah, Kentucky and the Kentucky School of Banking in Lexington, Kentucky.
Her employment record was stellar. She was formerly employed by the State of Kentucky Resource Department in Fulton, Kentucky. She also worked at Fulton Bank and spent 47 years at Reelfoot Bank where she worked as a teller, head teller, in the Bookkeeping Department, head bookkeeper, and as an assistant cashier.
Beverly was a Christian woman devoted to her service for God at Highway-45 East Church of Christ. She was a former member of Brooks Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, now known as Brooks Chapel Ministries, where she served as a member of the choir, culinary department, church secretary, Sunday school teacher, and member of the Pastor’s Aide Club.
Her community involvement was extensive. She served as secretary/treasurer of the local NAACP, member of the Fulton Ambulance Board of Directors, member of the Fulton-South Relay for Life Reelfoot Bank Team, former member of the Ken-Tenn Homecoming and Reunion Committee, and a proud life member of the NAACP. She was also a member of the Charming Red Hatters of Fulton, Kentucky.
Preceding her in death were her spouse, Robert M. Vanderford; her parents; two brothers, James Nelson McKinney and Larry A. McKinney; two sisters, Cathie McKinney Ferrell and Johnnie Ruth Wynn; one sister-in-law, Betty McKinney; one brother-in-law, Leroy Wynn; and one nephew, Willie McKinney.
Left behind to cherish precious memories of Beverly are Three Sisters, Linda Sue (Lindell) Cooper and Marva L. McKinney, both of St. Louis, Missouri, and Debbiar McKinney of Paducah, Kentucky; One Aunt, Vivian Payne and One Brother-in-law, Drew (Cheryl) Vanderford of Brookport, Illinois; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Beverly will truly be missed by those who knew and loved her.
Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025, 1:00 p.m. at Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Fulton, KY with Reverend Leroy Brent officiating.
You may light a candle or leave online condolences at pettusrowlandfh.com.
