SHERMAN, TEXAS — Austin College mourns the passing of Trustee Kristine Berry McKinney ’78, who died on November 16, 2024, at her home in Denison, Texas, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Kris, a dedicated alumna and lifelong supporter of the College, served as a member of the Board of Trustees from July 1, 2023, until her death.

A celebration of Kris’s life will be held in Wynne Chapel at Austin College on Friday, December 6, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception in Mabee Hall. A private burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Denison.

A native of Denison, Kris graduated from Denison High School in 1974 and earned a B.A. in Business Administration from Austin College in 1978. Her commitment to service and leadership, inspired by her parents and grandparents, was evident throughout her life.

Professionally, Kris worked as an owner, broker, and general partner for F. Kohfeldt and Son Real Estate, a family business established in 1887, for over four decades before retiring in March 2024 due to declining health.

Kris’s dedication to her community extended beyond her professional life. She was deeply involved in numerous organizations, including serving as a member of the Texoma Medical Center Board of Directors and the Texoma Community Foundation Board, and as the first chair of Texoma Medical Center’s Development Committee. She was instrumental in supporting Reba’s Ranch House, a project close to her heart.

Her devotion to Austin College was equally profound. Kris served as vice president of the Alumni Board, co-chaired the Grayson County Women Get Connected initiative, and participated in the Athena Leadership Recognition Award Committee. She frequently opened her home for alumni and student events and participated in 2010 JanTerm trip to Africa, exemplifying her passion for engaging with the Austin College community.

Kris’s legacy at Austin College continues through the Mark and Kris Berry McKinney '78 Endowed Scholarship, which supports students from Denison, Grayson County, and North Texas, reflecting her belief in the transformative power of an Austin College education.

She is survived by her loving husband of 25 years, Mark McKinney, her children Hilary and Harrison, her grandson Benji, and her extended family, including stepchildren, siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Grayson Berry, and her brother-in-law Jerry Fawcett.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to:

• Texoma Health Foundation, benefiting the "Get Above the Crowd Fund" for young girls: Texoma Giving Partners Donations
• Mark and Kristine Berry McKinney '78 Endowed Scholarship for Austin College students: Austin College Giving

Kris McKinney embodied the spirit of Austin College and the ethos of service. Her enduring legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Kangaroos.

 

The family obituary and guestbook are online at Kristine Berry McKinney.

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.