The original store was located near Snow Creek across from a site that later became the Fay Lewis Store (later occupied by Taft Massey
Grocery). The original building is no longer standing. Etta ran the store while Henry concentrated on his other business interests of
blacksmith work and general contracting of houses. For a time their sons, Jess and Bonnell, ran a peddler wagon with merchandise from the store.
W.H. McKinney Grocery – Elmwood - early 1940's
Being a general contractor, Henry built the store, plus a blacksmith shop and a nearby house for his family. Over the years this store was
expanded with several additions, including public restrooms and a side storage room. (The blacksmith shop was located on today’s Clarence Lane,
but is no longer standing).
For many decades McKinney Grocery served as a “one stop shop” in the Elmwood community and a favorite place to visit with neighbors over a
soft drink. Before the construction of the interstate system in the later 1960s, U.S. Highway 70 was the primary route heading east to
Knoxville. A Trailways bus stopped daily at the store and transported riders eastward.
After Henry McKinney’s death in 1959 ownership of the business transferred to Ina B. and her sister, Odelle McKinney Ramsey, and the
name changed to W. H. McKinney Company. Odelle began working part-time to help Ina B. in the store. In July 1975 a fire damaged the
interior of the business, but the store reopened a month later with renovations. When Odelle died in 1991 her partnership in the
business transferred to her daughter, Billie Ramsey Pettross, who operated the business with her aunt until the business closed in 1996.
W.H. McKinney Grocery - early 1940's
McKinney Grocery and it operator, Ina B., were spotlighted in an August 3, 1989 issue of the Carthage Courier. The feature story was
written by Karenna Gore, oldest daughter of former Vice President Albert and Tipper Gore. In 1967 W. H. McKinney Company was recognized
by the Texaco Company for 30 years of continuous selling of Texaco products.
After over a half century of operating in the Elmwood community, W. H. McKinney Company closed on June 8, 1996 when the contents of the
store were sold at auction. The store building and McKinney home still stand today. Fond memories are still recalled by family and friends
who have passed through the doors of McKinney Grocery in Elmwood.
I am D. Mitchell (Mitch) Pettross the son of Glenn A. Pettross,Volunteer for Smith County Heritage Museum. My mother is Billie
Ramsey Pettross, whose family owned McKinney Grocery.