“…She is a woman of dignity and strength and has no fear of old age” (Prov. 31).  At two months from her 97th birthday, Mary Elizabeth Magee said good-by to all who loved her in the presence of two of her sons, C.O. Magee, Jr. and Ernie Magee.  She joined her husband, Major C.O. Magee, Sr. in eternal life in the evening of April 14, at the Crossings where she lived.  She had fulfilled God’s purpose for her life and had run the race and finished the course.  There is no doubt that our Lord said to her “well done good and faithful servant”.

Born in the sleepy mill town of Eufaula, Alabama, on July 12, 1924, she grew up part of her life there and became a true Southern lady with all the grace of her era.

Moved to Columbus, GA where she spent most of her growing up life surrounded by relatives and cousins.  She had a large part in raising her younger brother, Ernie Gilmore Jr. as both parents had to work.  Lived through the great depression remembering putting newspapers in shoes with holes and eating mostly veggies since meat was expensive.

Married a young lieutenant who just graduated from LSU, Lt. C.O. Magee, and after a very short time together, bid him goodbye as he left for WWII and didn’t return for three years.  C.O. Magee, Jr. was born 8 months later.

After the war, they moved to several towns in S. Louisiana with C.O. working for Humble Oil as a petroleum engineer.  In Thibodaux, she was one of few people who didn’t speak French and the Cajun wives took her under their wing and taught her to cook that great Cajun food. Other towns were Grand Isle, New Iberia where her second son was born, Ernie Magee and New Orleans where she and family lived on Bourbon Street.

Lived in several S. Texas towns and finally settled in Corpus Christi where her third son was born, John Magee. Later she and C.O. and John would move to Kingsville. When C.O. retired from Exxon, they moved to Alexandria, Louisiana where C.O. went to work in real estate with his brother.

She joined the First Presbyterian church in Alex. and was elected a Ruling Elder for which she served for several years.  Every minister who came to the church would call on her for counseling and input since her brother was a Presbyterian minister and missionary to Brazil, her oldest son a Presbyterian minister and father an Elder Emeritus at his church in Columbus, Ga. She learned the catechism from her mother as a teen.

She was a member of the Garden Club in Alex. and grew gorgeous roses, member of dance club with C.O.. She was a first class bridge player and she square danced every Saturday night when living in Corpus Christi as C.O. was a caller and had a band that played when he called.

She loved the church and was an active member of First Presbyterian church in Alexandria, LA.  Was elected a Ruling Elder and served several years.  Every minister who served the church would visit her for advice or opinion since her brother Ernie was a Presbyterian minister and missionary to Brazil, her eldest son was a Presbyterian minister and her father an Elder Emeritus.  She cared for others who needed help and was involved in the food ministry of the church in which they would make sandwiches for the families at the big charity hospital and Veterans hospital nearby.

She loved the casinos and went often with her friends.  Crab leg night was her favorite.

So much more could be said.  She loved her family dearly; her husband of 66 years, three sons, 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren with lots of cousins and relatives.  She was gracious, forgiving, loving and fun to be with. That’s who she was.

Service will be April 28 at First Presbyterian in Alvin at 10 o’clock.  Interment in Alexandria. LA , Thursday at 11 o’clock.  Arrangements are under the direction of the James Crowder Funeral Home, La Marque.

Pall bearers are C.O. Magee, III, and Skyler Magee, grandsons and Colton Ward, Kyle Ward, Jackson Ward and Mac Magee great grandsons.  Donations can be sent to LSU-A to the C.O. Magee scholarship fund or Alvin Presbyterian church.