Obituary for Helen McGee
Helen Smith McGee was born on November 5, 1939, the oldest of seven children born into the union of Sallie and Claiborne Smith in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Helen moved to Toledo, Ohio with her family at a young age. The Lord called Helen peacefully home on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.
Accepting Christ as a young woman, Helen’s devotion to the Lord was apparent. As a steadfast member of St. James Church of God in Christ where she attended services faithfully, Helen forged friendships with other members that would endure all the days of her life. Helen’s most careful and disciplined action in Christ and the church she served was rearing her three sons in the love and knowledge of the Lord.
Helen was employed by Jeep where she worked until her retirement in 2003; although her most important and meaningful job was as mother to the three people she loved more than anyone in this world; her sons, Odis, Timothy and Anthony. As a loving mother, Helen’s devotion to her sons was unparalleled. Helen was an outstanding mother and made being a working mom appear effortless. Providing for her boys and raising them to become men of strong faith and character were duties she both enjoyed and took seriously. Helen was more than just a mother to her son’s she was also their Hero, a title bestowed upon Helen through not only the love and admiration her sons possess but also as witnessed. Helen McGee was undeniably one of the strongest women most masterfully created by the Lord.
Helen was simply a beautiful woman both in presence and in spirit, extending herself for many years to nurture an abundance of foster children in the Toledo area where her loving mark will be forever present. Helen was especially close and shared beautiful friendships with Mary Jane Smith and Mildred Darlene Hagman and was affectionately known by others as Mother McGee and Mama Helen. Helen will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for many things, among them; her faith in the Lord, her beautiful smile, her dedication and loyalty to family, her great taste of style, her honesty and ability to remember everything, her love for shopping and travel, her exceptional palette for flavorfully good food and her absolute love for televised cooking programs.
Helen was preceded in death by both parents; her sisters, Ruby Watkins and Mary Ann Smith; Brothers; Claiborne Smith and Henry Smith. She is survived by her loving sons; Odis W. McGee of Toledo, OH, Timothy S. McGee of Toledo, OH and Anthony T. McGee of Massillon, OH. She is also survived by siblings; Jack Smith (Lanetha) of Las Vegas, NV, and Leona (John) Searcy of Las Vegas, NV. Helen is also survived by 11 beloved grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
Accepting Christ as a young woman, Helen’s devotion to the Lord was apparent. As a steadfast member of St. James Church of God in Christ where she attended services faithfully, Helen forged friendships with other members that would endure all the days of her life. Helen’s most careful and disciplined action in Christ and the church she served was rearing her three sons in the love and knowledge of the Lord.
Helen was employed by Jeep where she worked until her retirement in 2003; although her most important and meaningful job was as mother to the three people she loved more than anyone in this world; her sons, Odis, Timothy and Anthony. As a loving mother, Helen’s devotion to her sons was unparalleled. Helen was an outstanding mother and made being a working mom appear effortless. Providing for her boys and raising them to become men of strong faith and character were duties she both enjoyed and took seriously. Helen was more than just a mother to her son’s she was also their Hero, a title bestowed upon Helen through not only the love and admiration her sons possess but also as witnessed. Helen McGee was undeniably one of the strongest women most masterfully created by the Lord.
Helen was simply a beautiful woman both in presence and in spirit, extending herself for many years to nurture an abundance of foster children in the Toledo area where her loving mark will be forever present. Helen was especially close and shared beautiful friendships with Mary Jane Smith and Mildred Darlene Hagman and was affectionately known by others as Mother McGee and Mama Helen. Helen will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for many things, among them; her faith in the Lord, her beautiful smile, her dedication and loyalty to family, her great taste of style, her honesty and ability to remember everything, her love for shopping and travel, her exceptional palette for flavorfully good food and her absolute love for televised cooking programs.
Helen was preceded in death by both parents; her sisters, Ruby Watkins and Mary Ann Smith; Brothers; Claiborne Smith and Henry Smith. She is survived by her loving sons; Odis W. McGee of Toledo, OH, Timothy S. McGee of Toledo, OH and Anthony T. McGee of Massillon, OH. She is also survived by siblings; Jack Smith (Lanetha) of Las Vegas, NV, and Leona (John) Searcy of Las Vegas, NV. Helen is also survived by 11 beloved grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and a host of other loving relatives and friends.