Ava McGinnis

Rock Hill, SC – Ava Robinson Parks McGinnis, 94, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 15, 2025. A native of Mecklenburg County, Ava was the daughter of the late John Lindsay Parks and the late Cora Robinson Colson Parks. She was born at Holly Bend, a home and property listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Ava spent the first 11 years of her life on the farm at Holly Bend, in the Hopewell Community, before moving to Charlotte and graduating from Harding High School in 1949. Following high school, she attended Carolina Business College, where she earned an associate degree.

She worked for 5 years as an executive secretary for Parrott & Richards, a patent law firm, during which time she met and married Don McGinnis. After moving to Rock Hill in 1957, Ava became a full-time mother to her children. She later returned to the workforce, spending 17 years at Springs Industries, before retiring. While there, she was the first recipient of the SAC (Springs Administrative Center) Outstanding Achiever Award. She was well thought of by everyone who worked with her.

Ava was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Rock Hill for 69 years, serving in the church nursery for many of those years. During the Vietnam War, she wrote letters of encouragement and sent care packages to church members serving overseas. Ava was a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. She especially loved her four grandsons and holds a special place in each of their hearts. Ava is remembered as a sweet, kind, generous, and precious Southern lady.

Mrs. McGinnis is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Alexander McGinnis, to whom she was married for 69 years. She is survived by her son, Greg (Becky) McGinnis and daughter, Shelley (David) Hamilton; grandsons, Alex Hamilton, Seth (Lauren) Hamilton, Jonathan (Melissa) McGinnis, and Luke (Caroline) Hamilton; and six great grandchildren, Anna Stephens Hamilton, Emma Hamilton, Marshall McGinnis, Warner McGinnis, Eli Hamilton, and Isaac Hamilton.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, May 30, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Rock Hill, 481 Hood Center Drive, with Rev. Jamie Burdette officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service, beginning at 10:30 am. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mrs. McGinnis’s name to First Baptist Church, 481 Hood Center Drive, Rock Hill, SC 29730.