Juddie “Darrell McKinney

Juddie “Darrell” McKinney passed peacefully at Union Hospital on Thursday June 9, 2022 in the company of his family. 

Surviving him is his wife of 62 years, Patricia McKinney. They had four children: Sandra (John) Tilghman and former spouse (Ferlin Roop); Susan (Patrick) Curran; Christina (Parke) Davis and Edward (Alexis) McKinney.

Darrell is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Nick, Megan, Steven, Zack, Ryan, Kelley, Robert, Jeremy, Ashley, Luke and Laurel; his 10 great-grandchildren, Gabe, Dominick, Kimmy, Brandon, Miranda, Molly, Max, Emma and Landon; and his four siblings, Lorraine, Marvin, Mary and Brenda. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Howard and Eula McKinney, his daughter Susan Curran and great-granddaughter Miranda Curran.

Many would say Darrell was the hardest working man they’ve ever known. Born in West Virginia, he spent his early years in the hills hunting and fishing with his brother Marvin, developing at a young age a passion with the outdoors. He was a man of many talents. In his young life he worked on a local farm developing a love for farm animals and the land. He later worked with custom steel, drove a truck and eventually made a career in plumbing and heating. Darrell knew the value of hard work, however his true passion was to go hunting and fishing with family and friends. Everyone who met him loved him and appreciated his exceptional ability to tell stories. The memory of Darrell will live long and joyfully in the hearts of those who knew him.

Funeral services were held on June 14 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be in Little Elk Friends Meeting Cemetery in Oxford.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities, 26345 Network Place, Chicago, IL 60673-1263, RMHC.org, in loving memory of Miranda Curran. 

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in  Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Dorothy Leonard Johnson

Dorothy Leonard Johnson died peacefully of natural causes on June 9, 2022 at The Willow Valley Retirement Community in Lancaster. 

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and educator. She was a former resident of Springfield, Delaware County and a kindergarten teacher for the Springfield School District. 

Dotty was born on Dec. 12, 1925 to the late Thompson B. Leonard, and Mary Boone Leonard. 

Dotty loved her family. She is finally reunited with Edward A. Johnson, her husband of 72 years, who died in 2020. 

She is survived by her son, Edward L. Johnson (Jane); her daughter, Sandra Mast (Eric); four grandchildren, Timothy Johnson, Amy Ober (Kyle), Nate Mast ( Ashley), and Laura Seeley (Jonathan). She has three great-grandchildren, Macy Ober, Cooper Mast, and Quinn Mast. She is survived by her loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Alberta Moody.

After graduating from Oxford High School, Dotty attended West Chester State Teachers College, now West Chester University. This is where she met the love of her life, Edward A. Johnson. They were married 72 years. 

After graduating from college, Dotty taught from 1946 to 1952 for the Springfield School District. She stayed home to raise her family, then returned to the classroom. She first taught half-day kindergarten in First Baptist Church of Springfield before she was hired to be a full-time kindergarten teacher for the Springfield School District. She taught from 1971 to 1987 at Scenic Hills as a kindergarten teacher. She loved teaching, and spent countless hours preparing to greet her students each day. She retired after 22 years of teaching.

Becoming a grandmother gave her more time to develop and nurture the minds of little ones again. She loved her new role, and followed her grandchildren’s events as they all grew up.

In her free time, she loved growing tomatoes in her garden and tending to her plants and flowers.

Dorothy and Ed decided to move to Willow Valley in 2005 to be closer to family in their final years. They resided there for 17 years.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Willow Valley, especially the caring nurses at The Glen for all their love and support. 

Graveside services are at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Benevolent Fund at Willow Valley Communities.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Benji Amir Gray

Our precious, baby boy, Benji Amir, passed away unexpectedly in his Mommy's arms on June 14, 2022 at his home in Oxford.

Baby Benji was born April 2, 2022 in Newark Del. to Alexis Bond of Oxford and DeQuan Gray of Wilmington, Del. 

He loved cuddling his mommy, swinging on the porch in his swing and going for walks in his stroller with the family dog, Axel. He was the sweetest, happiest baby that anybody could ask for, with a smile that could light up a room.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by one sister, Nala Amira Gray; two brothers, Kyree Leon Gray and Syrus Ali Gray; maternal grandmother, Amy Crosson; paternal grandmother, Tia Diallo; paternal grandfather Donald Gray and wife Mateenma;  maternal great-grandmother, Marietta Crosson; paternal great-grandmother, Frances Moses; paternal uncles, Samuel Ongwae Jr, Savir Spicer, Saboor Gray, Shafiq Gray and Maxwell Diallo; paternal aunts, Alexandria Johnson, AnNiss Gray and Siani Sellers; and lots of uncles, aunts and cousins. 

Benji is preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Raymond Bond III and maternal great-grandfather, John "Monk" Crosson.

Funeral services were held on June 20 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Cheryl A. Parsons

Cheryl A. “Grammy,” Parsons, 71, of West Grove, passed away on June 15, 2022, at her residence

Born in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of the late Gomer Harris Ward and the late Mary Jane (Peters) Ward.

Cheryl retired from Genesis Health Ventures in Kennett Square, where she was a retirement coordinator.

She enjoyed sewing, doing crafts, shopping, and being with her family—especially her grandchildren.

Cheryl is survived by one son, Christopher M. H. Ward of Bear, Del.; two daughters, Melissa L. Barrett (and her husband Jerome) of Oxford and Penelope H. Parsons of West Grove; one brother, Allen Ward of Kennett Square; one sister, Kimberly Clendenin of Kennett Square, and five grandchildren, Chloe, Quin, Evan, Spencer and Nate.

Her Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday morning, June 27 at the Longwood Cemetery, 945 East Baltimore Pike in Kennett Square.

To visit her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit

www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.