Rodney Mark McKinney

Rodney Mark McKinney, Pastor of New Life Church and resident of Pittsboro, NC, went to his Heavenly home on Friday, October 8, 2021 at the age of 64.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Deanna Young McKinney; daughter, Cara McKinney and husband Shaun Green of Atlanta, GA; son, Matthew McKinney and wife Jennifer of Cary, NC; mother, Maxine Mustard of Stillwater, OK; siblings, David Cash of Pawhuska, OK, Debbie Tiger of Stillwater, OK, Kevin McKinney of Gore, OK, and Kathy McKinney of Gore, OK; grandchildren, Sophia and Kaytlen McKinney and Isaiah and Boyd Green.

Mark McKinney was born on September 30, 1957 in Pryor, OK to J.T. McKinney and Maxine Mustard. He was a 1980 graduate of Oklahoma State University and loved OSU Cowboys Football. Mark attended Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, OK, graduating in 1989 where he studied to become a minister. He served on pastoral staff at Tree of Life Church (Fellowship) in New Braunfels, TX and he later founded New Life Church (Fellowship) in 1998 with his wife, Dee, and was the Senior Pastor for 23 years. Mark was passionate about teaching people the Word of God and helping them grow deeper in their personal relationship with the Lord. He would often teach at Bible schools all around the world as it was his passion to spread the message of Jesus to the ends of the earth. He was a great friend, teacher, pastor, and mentor to hundreds of people. When he was not at the church, you would find him in his overalls spending time in his garden, or working hard on something around the house.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at New Life Church, 10260 Chapel Hill Rd. Morrisville, NC. The family will receive friends following the service. 

Memorials may be made to the New Life Church Building Fund. Checks may be mailed to 10260 Chapel Hill Rd. Morrisville, NC 27560 or donations can be given online by visiting www.newlifenc.org/give and selecting “Pastor Mark Memorial”

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the McKinney family. Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com