Mitchell Willard McKay

Funeral services for Mitchell Willard McKay, 84, of Jacksonville, will be held Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 2 pm at Jacksonville First Baptist Church at Eagle Point with the Reverend Derek Staples officiating. Burial will follow at Jacksonville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 12 - 2pm. Mr. McKay left his earthly home and went to the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, March 15, 2024, surrounded by his beloved wife and children. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Dorothy McKay, of Stemley, a daughter, Amy McCreless (Allen) of Jacksonville, a son, John McKay (Melody) of Spring Garden; four grandchildren, Jacob McCreless, Jonah McCreless, Sarah Kate McKay, and Mitchell McKay. Pallbearers will be John McKay, Allen McCreless, Jacob McCreless, Jonah McCreless, Mitchell McKay, Dylan Smith and the Lineville High School Class of 1958. Mr. McKay was born in Barfield, Alabama and grew up in the Lineville area. He was a 1958 graduate of Lineville High School, and grew up on a farm. Mr. McKay was able to attend Jacksonville State College thanks to his cow, Brooksie. She was given to him when he was a boy, and the yearly sale of her calves provided the funds he needed to attend college, ultimately resulting in his 58 year career as an educator. While attending Jacksonville State College, Mr. McKay earned degrees in biology and math, and he also served in Advanced ROTC. Upon his graduation in 1962, he was commissioned in the United States Army as Second Lieutenant. In 1962, McKay taught math at Clay County High School. From 1963-1965 he was stationed in Germany and served as a platoon leader in a Hawk Missile Unit, where he was promoted to First Lieutenant. After his active service to the United States Army, he returned to his calling of teaching and taught biology and math at Winterboro High School. It was there that he met his wife and fellow educator, Dorothy Sanders. In addition to teaching at Winterboro, he taught at Talladega College as part of the Upward Bound Program. While at Winterboro, McKay was selected to receive a National Science Foundation stipend, he was granted a leave of absence, and moved to Athens, Georgia, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Science Education from the University of Georgia. In the fall of 1968, McKay and his wife moved to Jacksonville, where he taught Biology at Jacksonville High School until 1974. In addition, he completed his AA Certificate in Secondary Education from Jacksonville State University. From 1974-2000, he served as Principal of Jacksonville High School. He loved his faculty, staff and students. He knew the name of every student, and he was a positive leader who believed that every child should be treated fairly and with dignity and respect. In turn, under his leadership, Jacksonville High School was a positive place to work, learn and grow. In 2000, McKay retired as principal, but his service in education continued as he worked for Jacksonville State University by serving as an adjunct faculty member. He found joy in supervising practicum and student teachers because he felt that they were about to embark upon the greatest profession that could make a difference in the lives of others. Remarkably, he continued to work at JSU until 2020. He was 80 years old and his career had lasted 58 years.