Tamar Mckinney

Tamar Rose McKinney was born on August 21, 1987 at University Hospital in Denver, Colorado to parents, David Edwards and Cellette Gipson. Tamar was blessed to come home to a large family of brothers and sisters and many loving relatives. Tamar, along with her brother Shallum was very quiet and shy. But this didn't hide the love that she had for others. Tamar was very gifted and loved school. From Kindergarten through 5th grade, Tamar attended Federal Heights Elementary School. With her smile, dimples, and enthusiastic participation, she always stood out. Tamar was always one of the best students in the class. Tamar attended Kearney Middle School and graduated from Adams City High School in 2005. After graduation, she attended college at the University of Colorado at Denver. At a very early age, Tamar was wise enough to express her desire to be baptized. On August 19, 1990, at the age of four, Pastor Maurice Gordon baptized her in the Name of Jesus Christ at Loving Way United Pentecostal Church. Tamar Rose was truly a soldier for Christ. She was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ and she would witness to everyone about the love of Jesus. If she felt someone was doing something wrong, she would let them know with a loving heart. Though people would sometimes be offended, she was convicted to follow her heart. Tamar loved Jesus and that was it. Her favorite color was blue, which signifies celestial love of truth. Wearing garments of blue represents the knowledge of truth and is known as a heavenly color. Tamar ventured out to find out what else life had for her. She moved to Houston, Texas to pursue a career in modeling. One year later, she moved to Dallas, Texas to be with her cousin K.C. Tamar enjoyed modeling, but felt like her life needed more substance. After soul searching, she finally decided on October 14, 2008 to enlist in the Marine Corps. She was stationed in South Carolina at Parris Island, where she completed her basic training. She then went to Marine Combat Training school in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Upon graduation, she attended Personnel Administration School, where she became good friends with her future husband Sean. As fate would have it, they both would be stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. Stationed in Hawaii, Tamar and Sean remained good friends but life took them separate ways. Tamar was blessed with Tavin on February 6, 2010. The moment Sean saw Tavin, he knew the boy was special and grew to love Tavin as his own. Tamar and Sean decided to consecrate their love in marriage on August 1, 2010. Soon thereafter, their second son, Elijah was born on July 9, 2011. In September 2012, Tamar moved to North Carolina where her husband was stationed. While in North Carolina, she attended Cape Fear Community College achieving a 4.0 Grade Point Average, three semesters in a row despite taking care of three strong willed and stubborn boys. When Sean first met her, she hardly knew how to cook, but by the time, she moved to North Carolina she was an amazing chef gracing her family with delicious home cooked meals. Tamar really was a "Super-Mom" emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. It was this strength coupled with her compassion for children and babies that led her to her decision to be a neo-natal nurse. Tamar had taken the exam and aced it to be accepted in the nursing program. Regardless of her success in the world, the Lord had decided to take her home January 29, 2014. A Rose is daring, fun, loving and extremely active. Tamar Rose was shy with people and took her time getting to know someone, but if you earned her trust, she would be the best friend you could ever have. To know a Rose is a blessing in your life, because once you get her out of her shell, she was a sweet, loving, caring, and beautiful person. A Rose is the type of person who is often envied yet thankful for all she had. With her perfect smile and sweet nature, she just had a beauty inside and out that is hard to find. The radiant Rose had an uplifting effect on people; she would always put a smile on your face no matter what mood you were in. Completely faithful and honest, sensitive yet strong and courageous these are but a few of the admirable qualities that describe Tamar Rose. Those left to cherish her memory and to mourn her loss include her loving husband, Sean McKinney; her children, Tavin Gipson, Elijah McKinney, all of Wilmington, NC; her parents, David Edwards, Cellette Gipson, both of Denver; her brothers, Andrew P. Gipson, Shallum P. Gipson, both of Denver; her sisters, Gail Y. (John) McKinley, Paula L. (Shawn) Barnette, both of Aurora, Merina A. Gipson, Commerce City, Maresha R. Gipson, Timna R. Gipson, both of Denver; her grandmother, Birdie McKinney, Commerce City; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremations - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 2/10/2014 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 2/11/2014 at 11:00 AM - New Testament Holiness Church - 1725 East 30th Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 2/11/2014 - Staging Area C Fort Logan National Cemetery - Denver, CO