Magalene McKinnon Ingram

Magalene McKinnon Ingram passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 21st in her West Memphis home, mere months from what would have been her 100th birthday. She was born to Edgar Alonzo McKinnon and Maggie Dale Tyson McKinnon in Rutherford, Tennessee on October 22, 1912. The family moved to Armorel, Arkansas in 1926. At age 18 this beautiful Arkansas teen was named Miss Mississippi County. Following her high school graduation she met William K. "Bill" Ingram, and the couple married on April 8, 1933. The family moved to West Memphis in 1944 where together they raised four children, the late Billie Dean (Reeder); Magalene Ann "Susie" (Pugh), of Little Rock; William Kent, Jr., and Keith McKinnon, both of West Memphis. Her beloved husband, W.K. Ingram, served in the Arkansas Senate from 1963 to 1981, when he passed away at age 71. For Magalene, her greatest passion has always been her children, followed closely by her church. She was well known for her wonderful sense of humor and her love of playing Mah Jong with friends. During World War II she was an early member of the Twenty Club, who knitted sweaters, gloves and hats for the soldiers. Some 60 years later, the Twenty Club continues as an active civic organization in West Memphis. In December of 1995, Mrs. Ingram was honored by the Crittenden County Heart Association as the Honoree of the Year. She was a Heritage Member of the West Memphis First United Methodist Church and with friends, Elaine Looney and the late Nola Greenwood (Clark), founded The Encourager Prayer Group in 1966. Mrs. Ingram was the last surviving member of the original Methodist Church in West Memphis which was often referred to as "the little white church." Long-time friend and prayer partner, Elaine Looney described Mrs. Ingram as a beautiful and devout Christian. "Some of us talk to God and lift up prayers. But, in Magalene's case, we always felt she had a direct line. She was a dear friend and such a blessing in my life." In seeking to honor their mother in a special way, her children chose to endow a professorship at the Reynolds Institute on Aging at UAMS. Now, the mother, who not only encouraged education with her own children, helps provide educational programs for medical students and doctors who have an interest in aging adults. The Magalene McKinnon Ingram Chair in Geriatric Education is a lasting, loving way to recognize this special woman. Mrs. Ingram is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. The family expressed special thanks to Crittenden Hospice and to those special caregivers, Mary Carter, Mit Doss, Rosie Green, Rosetta Johnson, Mazie May, Peggy Shempert and Cathy Taylor who provided such compassion and loving care to Mrs. Ingram at the end of her life. Services will be held at First United Methodist Church, West Memphis, on Saturday, March 24th beginning with visitation in Deneke Hall at 1:30 p.m. followed by the service at 3 p.m. Roller Citizens Funeral Home has charge. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Magalene M. Ingram Maintenance Fund at First United Methodist Church, 215 North Missouri Street, West Memphis. Burial will be in Crittenden Memorial Park, Marion. Services by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home of West Memphis, Arkansas. n-line guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.