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June 3, 1921 – December 8, 2015
Auxiliary Captain Alice McKay was promoted to Glory on Dec. 8, 2015, from the Orchard Point Care Facility in Port Orchard, Wash.
Alice Jones was born June 3, 1921, to James Jones and Margaret McDonald, in Victor, New York, where she graduated from Victor High School in 1940 and then married Mnester (Mac) Grady McKay, whose parents were Salvation Army officers. The couple had six children, five boys and one girl. After raising their family, they felt the call to officership, and on July 13, 1967, they became auxiliary captains.
They began their officership at the San Francisco Waterfront Corps. Their next appointment took them to the Oakland (Calif.) Harbor Light where they planned and began construction for a new corps building. Following this, they moved to San Luis Obispo, Calif., as corps officers.
In Alaska, they served as corps officers in Hoonah and Saxman. The Tlingit Indian Tribe adopted Alice into the Eagle clan; Mac was adopted into the Raven clan.
Their last appointment before retirement in 1983 was to Watsonville, Calif., where the McKays established an English program for the local children and received special recognition from the City of Watsonville.
Alice is survived by her five sons: Major Ron McKay of Ruidoso, N.M..; David McKay of Sydney, Australia; Erwin McKay of Everman, Texas; Dale McKay of Portland, Ore.; and Rob McKay of Port Orchard, Wash. She leaves 17 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Her daughter predeceased her in 1990, her husband in 1998, and her grandson, Mark, in 2015.
After Alice retired from active service, she continued as a devoted prayer warrior until her promotion to Glory.
A celebration of life service took place Dec. 30, 2015, at The Salvation Army Bremerton (Wash.) Corps. The family requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be sent to the Bremerton Corps for World Services.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to: Major Ron McKay, PO Box 7725, Ruidoso, NM 88355 and Robin McKay, 3440 S.E. Carmae Dr., Port Orchard, WA 98366.
