Atta "Ja" McKine

Once upon a time there was a girl..... a girl who'd always had a dream and desire to be a helper, a caregiver - a nurse.

Life for Atta Ja McKine began in Lewistown, Montana; March 22, 1951. She was born into a family with four older siblings; two older brothers and two older sisters, so Atta broke the tie. She was born to her parents, Howard Morton and Francis Pauline (Kasinger) Moseley. 

Several rough experiences in life molded Atta into a smart girl with a strong will and serendipitous spirit. At age 12 she entered the Missouri foster care system and endured life in group homes and a variety of unsuccessful family home placements. These homes offered, let's say, less than 'Leave it to Beaver' type qualities. 

In her latter teens Atta was graciously accepted into the home of Charles and LaVerne Lindsay of Creighton, Missouri. This loving home was where she was included, encouraged and cared for both physically and spiritually. It's here with this family Atta at age 16 was gifted with a new life in Jesus through the precious washing of Holy Baptism. She received this gift from God through both the water and the Word and received her Savior Jesus and His perfect love and forgiveness at the United Methodist Church, Creighton, Missouri. 

Ja continued to excel academically with her high school education and became a 1969 graduate from Sherwood High School in Creighton, Missouri. 

Wedding bells rang and marriage soon followed to Ronnie L Meins, and together they built their family to which God provided their two children. Ja embraced motherhood and homemaking with pride and excellence as her home was always neat as a pin and fondly we remember some of her best dishes to include spicy green rice, the best homemade bread and ferd-the-bird (fried chicken). She had a drive to stay busy with tasks and found a passion for crochet of all kinds - afghans, doilies and one-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments. It brought her immense joy to decorate for holidays and make these special and happy times for her children. 

Bird watching and identification was a favorite pastime along with gardening both flowers and vegetables. There was just something about getting into the dirt and watching things grow. It also cultivated a spirit of gratitude for our Creator. Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

As life has its way - she found herself single and she chose a career at OG Harrisonville Wal-Mart with a desire to have her own home. This of course was grounded from youth being tossed about from place to place. She achieved this goal and owning her own home was a true gift of which God blessed her after much hard work, toil and dedication. Her Wal-Mart career was extensive as she was a department manager of electronics and hardware, cash office manager which included counting and deposits of every nickel, dime, dollar and check that came through the registers. Lastly, she managed the back office as a receiving manager of merchandise and freight.

Love struck arrows into Ja's heart and in 1990 she joined in Holy Matrimony with John Eric McKine who she met as a part of the Wal-Mart management team. They enjoyed many vacations and travels together, lawn gardening and more. This loving union created an avenue for Ja to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. At age 40, Ja began an accelerated program offered by Sanford Brown College. Ja achieved her Registered Nursing Degree while working full-time in the health care field. She worked from the bottom up as first CNA, CMT, LPN and then finally RN. She graduated top of her class and sought excellence each step of the way while being completely supported and encouraged by Eric in this journey. 

Her nursing career was rewarding and fulfilling as she'd always imagined, yet Ja’s health began to decline which led to an early retirement with her last job being as Charge Nurse for the Research Psychiatric Hospital of Kansas City, Missouri. In her professional career she was known as Nurse Atta and she held several managerial positions. She was proud to have achieved this level of education and merit. With declining health and many doctor visits and hospitalizations, she was always eager for her caregivers to know that she too was a retired RN. As you can imagine, when they say a Doctor makes the worst patient....... well, I'm not too sure nurses may likely carry the same “poor patient” card *grin*. That's a rough road to travel for sure. 

It's been a long 10 years on this health decline, yet she often would ask and pray for her Lord to take her HOME to heaven to be with him, but she submitted and respected it was in Jesus time and hands. The Lord Jesus in His loving time brought her home to His heaven this past Sunday, August 4, 2024 as He says in His Word, the Bible, Ecc 3:11 - He has made everything beautiful in its time. She is now basking in beauty and relieved from all struggles of this earthly life. 

In loving gratitude and rejoicing, we thank the Lord for His never-ending love and care provided by Eric and all caregivers at the hospitals and specialists offices through this walk toward her heavenly home. Now, no more pain and suffering exist for her and we join in singing Hallelujiah, with her and all the heavenly hosts. She is "not here, gone home, awaiting your arrival!"

Those living who remain carrying loving memories of Ja include her husband of the home, John Eric McKine, daughter, Carrie (Von) Stafford, Greg (Casey) Meins, brother William L Moseley, brother Howard Morton Jerry (Nancy) Moseley, sister Charlene Moseley. Grandchildren Deziray (Rob) Nelson, Zane Meins, Zoe Meins. Great-grandchildren Emmett Meins and Daenerys Nelson.

We cherish the memory of Ja's relatives already perished to include her parents, sister Anna Rose Cox, brother John Wesley Moseley, granddaughter Chloe Ann Meins.

Cremation with a Celebration of Life Visitation will be held 3:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Sunday, August 11, 2024 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with a brief Devotion of Hope Service from 4:45 p.m - 5:00 p.m. 

In Lieu of Flowers Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital and send in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.