Cornelia Mcgee

Cornelia Eugenia Knox McGee went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 19, 2013 after a long life of love, kindness, encouragement and devotion. A longtime resident of Hoover, she was born in Birmingham, Alabama on September 11, 1922.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Eric G. McGee, Sr., their daughter Dorothy Gay Whitson, and her sister Marianne Sawyer. She is survived by her sister Elvire Fowler of Birmingham.

She is survived by five children: J. Gertrude “Trudy” Baxter (William F. “Billy”) of Kingsport, TN; Melanie Goodson (Lance), Amy Houston (Greg), Eric G. McGee, Jr. (Sarah), all of Birmingham; and Anne Canada (Steve, Dr. of Divinity) of Marianna, FL. She is survived by 12 grandchildren including Gina Whitson Gamble (Jon); Lance Goodson, Jr. (Jessica) and Natalie (Dr. Chris) Roth; Marshall and David Houston; William, Kyle, and Caroline McGee (all of Birmingham), and Brent, Brooke Anna, Lauren, and Melanie Canada (all of Marianna, FL). She is survived by 4 great-grandchildren: Claire, Lucy, and Sally Gamble and Jack Roth of Birmingham. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Mrs. McGee is universally described as “the sweetest person I know”. She was a model of Christian love, character, and duty to her extended family, with high morals and a dedicated work ethic, and was determined to make the best of any situation. A true Southern lady, providing comfort was her gift and her craft. Her openness and interest in others was a balm; she would laugh with you and she would cry with you, and somehow you always felt better about life. She tended the sick, baked pound cakes to console the grieving, made banana split pies to celebrate joys, and gave of herself unstintingly. She lived by truth and discretion; if told a secret she would never betray it. She embodied patriotism and was as American as the flag.
Mrs. McGee prized education for herself and her family. She was a graduate of Phillips High School and Wheeler Business College. She was a member of the Five-Thirty Club. She worked as an executive secretary in the Department of Agriculture in wartime Washington, D.C and later in Birmingham in government and industry. She was a longtime member of Shades Mt. Baptist Church, active in the Golden Circle Sunday School class for many years, and was a current member of Faith Class. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, General Sumter Chapter and served as chaplain and several other offices. She was an avid bridge player throughout her life.

Funeral services and celebration of her life will be held on Friday, November 22 at 11:00 a.m. at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, with Dr. Gary Harvey and Dr. Steve Canada officiating. Burial will follow at Currie Jefferson. Family will receive visitors from 10:00-11:00 a.m. preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to Shades Mountain Baptist Church or the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). For DAR donatons sent to the state society DAR , mail to this address below: Verna Brennan, ASDAR Treasurer, 702 Wilson Dam Circle, Sheffield, AL 35660-7216 or for DAR donations sent to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Office of Development, 1776D Street NW, Washington, DC 20006-5303or to make a donation over the phone: 1 (800) 449-1776.

Church

11:00 ,Friday, November 22, 2013
Shades Mountain Baptist Church
2017 Columbiana Road Birmingham, AL, Jefferson 35216

Graveside

11:30 ,Friday, November 22, 2013
Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South
2701 John Hawkins Parkway Hoover, AL, Jefferson 35244