Zella Maida Watson was born on October 16, 1931, in Spur, Texas, to Floy Watson and Quida Caviness. She passed into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on Good Friday morning, April 3, 2026, in Abilene, Texas.
Zella grew up in Dickens County on a farm and attended school in Spur, Texas, where she would graduate in 1949. During those younger years, she was surrounded by her fraternal grandparents, eight aunts and uncles, and 25 cousins whom she loved deeply.
She met Grover Chelton (G.C. “Mac”) McKinney from Blanchard, Oklahoma, and they were married on July 26, 1952, in Dickens County, Texas.
They would soon move to McCamey, Texas, until 1962, where they would start their family. Micheal Dennis McKinney was born on May 2, 1953, and Christi Diane McKinney was born on September 4, 1956.
After leaving McCamey, the family spent one year in Midland and would then transfer to Houston, Texas, where Mac would continue his work with Schlumberger Well Service. In 1970, after 25 years, Mac retired and the family moved to Hubbard Creek Lake in Breckenridge Texas on a beautiful lakefront property.
Mac, Zella and Christi would them move to Abilene and form McKinney Enterprises. Zella taught art classes, rented spaces at Under One Roof, and spent much of her time painting and creating beautiful art pieces, some of which were purchased at the Dallas Market.
Zella began to work outside the home in 1976 for Citizens Bank in Abilene and would continue until she would retire from Bank of America in 1991.
Zella was passionate about caring for her daughter, Christi, and making sure all her needs were met. And if you had many conversations with her, she loved her hometown of Spur and all the family that she grew up with. Zella was instrumental in helping the Watson heirs create the Watson Family Partnership. She always looked forward to the Watson Family Reunion held in Jayton, Texas.
Zella is survived by her daughter, Christi McKinney; nieces Sheila Greenburg and Gi GI Robinson; nephews Tommy Watson, Sean Watson, Ronnie Watson, Randy Watson, Collin Watson and Kenny Tubbs; and many great-nieces and nephews.
Zella is preceded in death by her husband G. C. McKinney, and their son, Michael McKinney; also by a sister, Glenda Watson Tubbs; brothers Dewey Watson and Charlie Watson; her father Floy Watson and mother Quida Huber; and nephews Benny Tubbs and Kevin Watson.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Spur Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements with Girdner Funeral Home, Abilene.
