Eleanor Joy Peck McKinley McGill, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died Thursday, December 09, 2010, in League City Texas. A long-time resident of Malvern, she had been a resident at Grace Presbyterian Village in Dallas for the past 18 months.

She was born on November 11, 1922, in Bunker Hill, Kansas, the youngest of seven daughters of Ray and Maude Ellen Peck. She graduated from Bunker Hill High School and attended business school. While working at the YMCA in Topeka, she met George McKinley, a handsome young soldier from Mississippi, and they were married on May 1, 1943. Immediately after the war, they moved to Malvern where they were active in church and community organizations. They were married 44 years until George's death in 1986. She was blessed with a second marriage to Charlie McGill on April 1, 1989, with whom she enjoyed traveling and spending time on his farm in east Texas.

Joy worked for JL Scott Construction and later at the Bank of Malvern, and she served on the Malvern City Council, following George's death. She was a charter member of PEO in Malvern. She and George were founding members of the Malvern Association for Exceptional Children and were instrumental in establishing the first school in Malvern for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Besides her family, her greatest love was for her church, First Presbyterian, where she was a member for 64 years. She was a Deacon and an Elder, a faithful member of the choir and for a period of time, the church secretary. She served on six pulpit nominating committees, selecting and supporting ministers called to serve the congregation. She also faithfully polished the silver in preparation for each Communion service at the church.

She was a deeply devoted Christian, committed to her family, her church and her community. She was a blessing to all who knew her and is remembered for her cheerful nature and her beautiful smile.

She was preceded in death by her first husband George C. McKinley, her son George Ray and her stepson John McGill. She is survived by her husband Charlie McGill of Dallas, daughter Dianna Woods (Michael) of Mt. Vernon TX, daughter Margaret Moore (Chuck) of Dallas, four grandsons Christopher Woods (Rebecca) of Atlanta TX, Jonathan Woods of San Marcos TX, Stephen Moore (Wendy) of Dallas, and David Moore (Ceci) of Seattle and two soon-to-arrive great-grandchildren. She is also survived by Bob and Nancy McGill, Jim and Beth McGill, Pat McGill, John and Betsy Stephenson, Steve and Kathy McGill, and their children and grandchildren.

There will be a graveside service at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Malvern at 10:00 Tuesday morning, December 14, 2010, followed by a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church at 11:00, officiated by Reverend Carl McCormack. Visitation will be Monday, December 13, from 5-7pm at J.A. Funk Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Presbyterian Church, 707 MLK Blvd., Malvern AR 72104, or Grace Presbyterian Village, 550 Ann Arbor, Dallas TX 75216.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com