Kathryn McGahey Winney, age 66, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on September 4, 2025.

Born on September 29, 1958, in Reform, Alabama, she was the daughter of James Russell McGahey, Sr. and Lydia Wilson McGahey. Raised in Columbus, Mississippi, she grew up with strong values of faith, family, and perseverance, alongside her siblings, Victoria McGahey Yanner and James Russell McGahey, Jr.

Kathryn was a dedicated student and leader. She graduated summa cum laude from Mississippi University for Women with bachelor’s degrees in Accounting (1980) and Legal Studies (1985). She served as Student Government Association President, Day Student Council President, Senate President Pro-Tem, and Senator of the Year 1978-1979. She later earned an MBA from Webster University, also graduating summa cum laude and honored as Graduate Student of the Year.

A licensed CPA in Texas and Maryland, Kathryn built a distinguished career in taxation, auditing, and forensic accounting. Her work included time with the IRS in Miami, the firm Carneiro, Chumney & Co. in San Antonio, and her own practice, Winney CPA. In parallel, she served as a devoted Air Force spouse, volunteering with family support groups and earning recognition as Air Training Command Volunteer of the Year.

Kathryn’s greatest professional calling was in education. For more than 20 years, she taught accounting at Kirkwood Community College, Coe College, and Midwestern State University. She eventually joined Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, where she served as Associate Professor of Accounting and Associate Dean of the School of Business and Leadership. She was granted tenure in 2015 and was deeply committed to her students’ success, particularly first-generation college students.

Her academic research and publications focused on accounting education, forensic practices, and the use of technology in the classroom. She was an active member of the Texas Society of CPAs, the AICPA, Financial Executives International, and the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA).

Kathryn married the love of her life, David Winney, on March 7, 1981, in Columbus. Together, they shared over 40 years of devotion and raised their daughter, Allison Kathleen Winney, who was Kathryn’s pride and joy.

She is survived by her husband, David Winney; daughter, Allison Winney; and siblings, Victoria McGahey Yanner and James Russell McGahey, Jr. A memorial service will be held Monday, October 6 at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hills Church – Crownridge campus in San Antonio. A burial ceremony will follow on Tuesday, October 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Shriners Children’s Hospital, or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.