Marjorie H. McGhee

July 27, 1925 - September 4, 2016

Marjorie Hazel Akers McGhee died at home September 4, 2016, at the tender age of ninety-one. She was born July 27, 1925 in Roanoke, Virginia, daughter of the late Auborn Lee Akers and Hazel White Akers. Marjorie was a member of the Mullens High School Class of 1943. She was an honor student, and was active in the Senior Honor Society, Schubert Club, Thespian Club, and Tri-Hi-Y. Following high school, she attended National Business College in Roanoke, VA, and worked as a sales associate at GC Murphy Co. and Stone and Cook, and as a bookkeeper at Bailey Lumber Company. On May 3, 1945, she married Platoon Sergeant William C. McGhee, USMC, who precedes her in death. Marjorie was secretary at the Highland Avenue Baptist Church for more than 35 years, and sang in the church choir for 73 years. She served as President of the American Baptist Women and the Mullens PTA. She was among the organizers of the Class of '43 reunions, and served as secretary until the 60th year reunion in 2003. She is survived by her sister Betty Jean Ziegler of Richmond, VA; her children: Patrick McGhee of Mullens, WV; Kathy Lyon and her husband Larry, of Attica, IN; Timothy McGhee and his wife Cindy of Charleston, WV; Susan McGhee of Bloomington, IN; and Anne McGhee of Wilmington, DE; her grandchildren: Don Lyon and his wife Kathie of Greenwood, IN; Chad Lyon and his partner Chris Ginter of Indianapolis, IN; Megan McGhee DeRuiter and her husband Neil of Scott Depot, WV; Annie McGhee and her husband Blake Gehringer of Seattle, WA; Halley Pradell of Wilmington, DE and Ben Pradell of Wilmington, DE; and her great-grandchildren: John Lyon and Willie DeRuiter. Marjorie loved her family most of all, and enjoyed annual vacations on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, playing rousing games of Phase 10, visiting wineries, and taking car rides through the West Virginia hills. She was always happy to talk to her children on the phone and hear about their latest adventures. She had a beautiful singing voice, a quick wit, and quiet but sure sense of determination. She was a confident cook, measuring flour in the palm of her hand for her biscuits and Parker House rolls, patiently simmering black-eyed peas to perfection for the church's New Year's dinner, and creating just the right concoction of cheddar and butter for her oven-baked macaroni and cheese. She taught her children how to cook, which came in very handy when she moved in with her son Pat several years ago, as she happily hung up her apron and retired. For all of this, and so much more, her family gives thanks for her strong and faithful life. A Service of Celebration for her life will be held at the Highland Avenue Baptist Church in Mullens, WV, on Tuesday, September 13, at 6:00pm, with the Rev. Susan C. McGhee and the Rev. Lewis Arnold officiating. Family will be on hand to greet visitors an hour prior to the service, and a reception will follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Memorial Fund of the Highland Avenue Baptist Church, 319 Highland Ave., Mullens, WV, 25882, or to a favorite charity of your choice. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tankersleyfh.com. The family of Majorie McGhee is being cared for by Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens.