Sarah Marcena Price McKinley

Sarah Marcena Price McKinley was born in Baltimore, Maryland at her family home on Howard Street on October 29, 1926.  She was the fourth of sixth children born to Paul and Cora Price. Sarah was educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. She was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost at an early age.  She has worked untiringly in the Church, since her youth, as a member of the Church of God In Christ. 

 

Together with her sisters, Elsie, Mary, and Martha, Sarah formed the renowned “Price Quartet.”  Their harmonious voices left a lasting impression on the hearts of all who heard them. Sarah understood the value of hard work and would often share with her children the lessons she learned while scrubbing Baltimore's stone steps after school, earning a humble fifteen cents. After High School, Sarah attended Cortez Peters Business School in Baltimore, Maryland, and later Zion Bible College in Rhode Island. Sarah followed her sister Mary, who broke the color barrier as the first African American to work at the supermarket food chain Food Fair.  Sarah’s desire for stability and security led to a fulfilling career in the federal government. She began her career in the Social Security Administration in New York City. Despite facing discrimination as the only African-American in her office, she excelled and advanced her career, transitioning to the General Services Administration and finally to the United States District Court as a clerk where she retired in 1988.  

 

Retirement was not the time for Sarah to sit in a rocking chair or smell the roses; she reinvented herself by embarking on several other careers working in various capacities for another twenty-three years. As a real estate agent, she worked for realtors Century 21, Otis Warren, Long and Foster's, and Remax. Sarah achieved the milestone of exceeding $1 million in sales and served as the selling agent for the Good Shepherd Church of God in Christ in the acquisition of their former property at 1721 Sexton Street. She later became a tax preparer, worked as an administrative assistant at churches and worked at the 1990 and 2000 United States Census. In 2003, Sarah used her gift of administration talents assisting her daughter and son-in-law in the opening, establishment and operation of their healthcare staffing business, Interim HealthCare (now operating as Staffing Etc). 

 

Sarah was an avid traveler. This may have been as a result of her father’s work as a traveling evangelist who took his family throughout the state of Maryland.  Sarah traveled regularly around the country with the Church of God In Christ attending the Women’s Convention, Youth Congress the predecessor to UNAC and AIM and the National Convocation.  Sarah’s regular summer family vacations with her family included trips as far north as Montreal Canada and as far south as Walt Disney World inOrlando, Florida. Her crowning excursions included two visits to the Holy Land in Israel.

 

Mother McKinley’s vibrant spirit and deep faith defined her remarkable path. Her unwavering faith and profound devotion to God left an indelible mark on every ministry she touched. She has worked tirelessly in the Church since her youth and has held almost every position available in the church, from First Lady to Sunday School teacher.  God has blessed her with many spiritual gifts and blessings, with her teaching ministry being one of her most prevalent.  She has served as a teacher in some capacity for well over 50 years.  Sunday School was her love, serving as Superintendent in New York City, teacher of adult women at Doswell Temple and New Members at the Good Shepherd Church.  The late Mother Hamlin, former Superintendent of Sunday School at Doswell Cathedral, strongly encouraged all classes to participate and present a performance in the Sunday School Christmas and Easter programs. Sarah took this mandate as a challenge, and she began to write and develop plays for her women's class. These plays soon became the highlight of the Sunday School program, with practices starting months in advance culminating in an entertaining, spirit-filled, and thought-provoking performance. 

 

Her teaching anointing reinforced her ability to deliver the gospel.  First as an Evangelist under the late Bishop Ethiel Clemens, later ministering regularly at Doswell Cathedral under the late Bishop Doswell, Star of Bethlehem under Bishop Harvey Lewis, Sr. the Good Shepherd Church under Bishop Tony Torain and Refreshing Spring under Bishop James Jordan. Her willingness to serve and her ability to yield to the plan of God in her life allowed her to experience many opportunities and positions in the ministry of the Lord. Her preaching ministry spanned well into her 80s. Mother McKinley served as President of the Women's Department, District Missionary and National Evangelist where she was able to minister throughout the east coast. Mother McKinley’s ministry extended beyond the walls of the local church to include the sick and suffering in homes and hospitals, the homeless and needy, the hungry via food distribution and prison ministry in DC and VA.  Mother McKinley also served as a founding member of the Excel Church.  As she ministered across the country and at her home church under the anointing, many souls have been blessed, saved, and delivered.

 

Sarah faced challenges in her personal life. Despite the situations she faced, Sarah persevered and allowed God to bear her burdens and bear her cross of Christ.  Sarah raised her three children (Wilbert Jr., Marcellus, and Hope) initially in New York City and then transitioned back to her childhood home in Baltimore, where there was more familial support to assist her. With the aid of her God-given motherly wisdom, insight, and unwavering strength, Sarah raised her children to fear God, value education and become excellent, law-abiding citizens. The same principles have been instilled in her 10 grandchildren who have all graduated from college and lead successful lives.

 

After a more than ten-year battle with dementia, Sarah transitioned to her heavenly reward on June 4, 2023, at home with her family. This transition signals an ending of an era for the Price Family. As we reflect upon the extraordinary journey she undertook, we find solace in the knowledge that she now rests in the loving embrace of her Heavenly Father.  Sarah was preceded in death by her son Wilbert (Venus).  Cherishing the memories of Sarah are her two loving children Marcellus Pablo McKinley (Patricia) and Hope Maria Porter (David).  Sarah will be sorely missed by her Ten grandchildren: Candace McKinley, Sterling McKinley (Amber), Marcellus McKinley, Jr. (Alyssa), David Porter, Jr., Wilbert McKinley, Jr., Nathan Porter, Hyacinth McKinley, Sarah Weaver (Thomas), Priscilla Porter and Faith Porter; Four great grandchildren:  Sterling McKinley, Hope Weaver, Peace Weaver and Asher McKinley; a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.