Samuel Edward McGee, 1919-2004

  Samuel Edward McGee (Sam) was born July 11, 1919, in Huttonville, W.Va. He was the son of the late Ballard & Florence Newhouse McGee. He grew up with seven brothers and two sisters.

  Sam married Mary Riggleman McGee Sept. 18, 1938, in W.Va. From that marriage were born five children: Edward, Doris Regina McGee Myers, Mary Frances McGee Kanaley and two sons who died at birth. Sam and his family moved to Michigan where his children were raised, attended school, and married. He and Mary Gay had four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. His loving wife Mary Gay passed away with a cerebral hemorrhage in 1970 after 32 years of marriage.

  Sam’s personal faith began as a teenager when he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. In 1950 he was a machine builder at the time he had a calling for the ministry. He began and finished courses of study and was granted a license to preach.

  He served two appointments in Michigan, one for three years and one for 1½ years. Sam decided to go full time and moved to Virginia to the Staunton District. He was an ordained deacon in 1973 and approved lay pastor. He served in the Staunton, Lynchburg, and Charlottesville districts, all with harmony and support from all churches. He completed courses of study at Emory University and attended advanced courses at Duke University. Also taking continuing education classes before retiring in 1988.

  On Jan. 1, 1982, Sam and Mary Jane Campbell were joined together in marriage at Poplar United Methodist Church in Amherst, Va. Mary brought five daughters into this marriage: Connie C. Deacon, Delores C. Davis, Susan C. Wade, Donna C. Dodgion, and Martha C. Johnson. Together in this marriage they had 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Sam and Mary were married 22 years.

  Sam served as a retiree at Bethany, Mt. Tabor, Smyrna, and Poplar UM Churches. He had served over three years as an appointee at Wesleyan Church, Amherst, Va., when he was diagnosed with cancer. Because of taking chemotherapy he could not continue and had to retire again.

  Sam loved the Lord. His greatest joy was serving God through preaching the word. He and Mary Jane were a team. At least 3-4 days a week they were on the road visiting the sick in homes and hospitals; visiting the members of the church or sending encouraging cards. The ministry was a full-time job.

  Sam was a very talented person. He loved playing the piano, fiddle, and banjo. He also loved working in his shop making crafts for Bible school and for many friends and family. Together Sam and Mary sang in the choir and attended Bible study and Sunday school.

  Sam greatly missed serving. At 84 years young, Sam desired to go back one more time and preach. The week before his death he had written a sermon "he needed to preach."

  He had taken five chemo treatments with one to go. Together Sam and Mary Jane looked forward to spring and enjoying time together.

  Samuel Edward McGee passed away on Feb. 17, 2004, at 6 a.m. in Lynchburg General Hospital with his beloved wife Mary Jane and true friend, the Rev. Douglas Pillow, at his side. His funeral was held Feb. 19 at Amelon UM Church, Madison Heights, Va. The following ministers honored him with their encouraging spiritual words to the family at his "celebration of life": the Rev. Douglas Pillow, the Rev. Arthur Wolz, and the Rev. Clarence Brown, Charlottesville District Superintendent. As a tribute to Sam’s life on this earth his two daughters Mary Frances McGee Kanaley and Martha C. Johnson gave their testimonies and testimonies from each loving family member. Graveside services were held on Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. in Milan, Mich.

  From one of Sam’s loving children: "It is hard to imagine the number of lives that Sam touched and staggering to imagine how many lives will continue to be influenced for generations to come. I imagine the line of people in heaven thanking Sam for his role in their salvation is long and I don’t see it getting any shorter any time soon." "His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21)