Retha Rae Thompson McGee of Little Rock, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died Monday, July 30, 2007, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. She gave everything she had with a true spirit in life and leaves a cherished legacy in death.
Retha was born Dec. 3, 1928, in Hot Springs to Coy C. Hayes and Byron S. Thompson. She attended schools in North Little Rock and graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1946. She received her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1950. Following graduation, Retha began her teaching career at Siloam Springs High School, where she met and married the love of her life, J.D. McGee on Dec. 23, 1950. She taught girl's P.E. for two years in Siloam Springs, before temporarily retiring to raise her family. Retha stood by her husband throughout his coaching and teaching career, and moved with J.D. to Little Rock in 1954, where they lived until 1981. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where she served as a children's Sunday school teacher for 17 years, as well as WMU Director, Baptist Women's president and G.A. leader. In 1979, Retha returned to teaching at Horace Mann Jr. High, where she taught girl's P.E. and coached the cheerleading and gymnastics squads.
In 1981, Retha and J.D. moved to Waldron where he served as superintendent of schools until 1986. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Extension Homemakers Club of Scott County, serving as president. In 1985-86 she served as Scott County Council president. In 2001, Retha was named Homemaker of the Year by Scott County Home Economists. Her love for the Lord led her to be actively involved at First Baptist Church, Waldron, where she again taught an adult women's Sunday school class and served in the WMU. She completed a five year term on the Arkansas State Baptist Women's Committee during this time, and she served as a volunteer at the Baptist Migrant Center in Hope. Other community services and interests in Waldron included the Garden Club, Retired Teachers Association of Scott County, and being a nursing home volunteer and Laubach Literacy teacher. In 1996-97, Retha served as the state president of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association.
J.D. and Retha moved back home to Little Rock in 2002, where they spent five wonderful years at Parkway Village. Retha quickly became involved in the fitness classes and served on the activities committee. She was known for remembering most of all the Parkway residents with birthday cards. Retha was once again a devoted member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
Sewing had long been Retha's hobby, but in recent years, quilting had become her favorite. She won numerous first place and best of show awards for her quilts. She lovingly crafted quilts for each of her grandchildren, and she presented the ninth quilt on the day before she died. Retha was an excellent cook, and her Thanksgiving dinners will be forever etched in our minds. She and the entire family enjoyed outings at Lake Ouachita for many years.
Retha always lived "as unto the Lord", and will eternally be remembered for her perpetually encouraging attitude and selfless acts of kindness to everyone she knew. Her greatest joy in life was her four children, their spouses and 11 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Kaye T. Bracken. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 56 years, J.D. McGee; three daughters, Sharon Hallmark and husband, Robert of Little Rock, Sandra Kurosaki and husband, Ryan of Benton, Paula Pope and husband, David of Little Rock; one son, Jim McGee and wife, Janith of Stuttgart; and 11 grandchildren, Rob, Wes and Beth Hallmark of Little Rock, Jason Kurosaki of Chicago, Drew (fiancee Ashley Swaffar), and Aaron Kurosaki of Benton, Meredith, Holly and Jay McGee of Stuttgart, and Nicole and Andrea Pope of Little Rock. Retha is also survived by a brother, John C. Thompson and wife, Dennis of Dallas; one sister, Sybil Edmondson and husband, Justus of Tulsa; brother-in-law, Neil McGee and wife, Lyla of Mabelvale; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Torbett and husband, Dan of Richmond, Ky. Her large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews will miss Retha as well.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Rob, Jason, Wes, Drew, Aaron and Jay, and son-in-law, David. The family will hold visitation at Roller Chenal Funeral Home today from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be a private family burial at Forest Hills Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Immanuel Baptist Church auditorium for all of her friends and family on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, at 11:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church Library or Building Fund, First Baptist Church of Waldron Building Fund, or Arkansas Retired Teacher's Association, Parkway Towers, 1200 Commerce St., Little Rock, AR 72202
Retha was born Dec. 3, 1928, in Hot Springs to Coy C. Hayes and Byron S. Thompson. She attended schools in North Little Rock and graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1946. She received her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1950. Following graduation, Retha began her teaching career at Siloam Springs High School, where she met and married the love of her life, J.D. McGee on Dec. 23, 1950. She taught girl's P.E. for two years in Siloam Springs, before temporarily retiring to raise her family. Retha stood by her husband throughout his coaching and teaching career, and moved with J.D. to Little Rock in 1954, where they lived until 1981. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where she served as a children's Sunday school teacher for 17 years, as well as WMU Director, Baptist Women's president and G.A. leader. In 1979, Retha returned to teaching at Horace Mann Jr. High, where she taught girl's P.E. and coached the cheerleading and gymnastics squads.
In 1981, Retha and J.D. moved to Waldron where he served as superintendent of schools until 1986. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Extension Homemakers Club of Scott County, serving as president. In 1985-86 she served as Scott County Council president. In 2001, Retha was named Homemaker of the Year by Scott County Home Economists. Her love for the Lord led her to be actively involved at First Baptist Church, Waldron, where she again taught an adult women's Sunday school class and served in the WMU. She completed a five year term on the Arkansas State Baptist Women's Committee during this time, and she served as a volunteer at the Baptist Migrant Center in Hope. Other community services and interests in Waldron included the Garden Club, Retired Teachers Association of Scott County, and being a nursing home volunteer and Laubach Literacy teacher. In 1996-97, Retha served as the state president of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association.
J.D. and Retha moved back home to Little Rock in 2002, where they spent five wonderful years at Parkway Village. Retha quickly became involved in the fitness classes and served on the activities committee. She was known for remembering most of all the Parkway residents with birthday cards. Retha was once again a devoted member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
Sewing had long been Retha's hobby, but in recent years, quilting had become her favorite. She won numerous first place and best of show awards for her quilts. She lovingly crafted quilts for each of her grandchildren, and she presented the ninth quilt on the day before she died. Retha was an excellent cook, and her Thanksgiving dinners will be forever etched in our minds. She and the entire family enjoyed outings at Lake Ouachita for many years.
Retha always lived "as unto the Lord", and will eternally be remembered for her perpetually encouraging attitude and selfless acts of kindness to everyone she knew. Her greatest joy in life was her four children, their spouses and 11 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Kaye T. Bracken. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 56 years, J.D. McGee; three daughters, Sharon Hallmark and husband, Robert of Little Rock, Sandra Kurosaki and husband, Ryan of Benton, Paula Pope and husband, David of Little Rock; one son, Jim McGee and wife, Janith of Stuttgart; and 11 grandchildren, Rob, Wes and Beth Hallmark of Little Rock, Jason Kurosaki of Chicago, Drew (fiancee Ashley Swaffar), and Aaron Kurosaki of Benton, Meredith, Holly and Jay McGee of Stuttgart, and Nicole and Andrea Pope of Little Rock. Retha is also survived by a brother, John C. Thompson and wife, Dennis of Dallas; one sister, Sybil Edmondson and husband, Justus of Tulsa; brother-in-law, Neil McGee and wife, Lyla of Mabelvale; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Torbett and husband, Dan of Richmond, Ky. Her large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews will miss Retha as well.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Rob, Jason, Wes, Drew, Aaron and Jay, and son-in-law, David. The family will hold visitation at Roller Chenal Funeral Home today from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be a private family burial at Forest Hills Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Immanuel Baptist Church auditorium for all of her friends and family on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, at 11:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church Library or Building Fund, First Baptist Church of Waldron Building Fund, or Arkansas Retired Teacher's Association, Parkway Towers, 1200 Commerce St., Little Rock, AR 72202
Retha Rae Thompson McGee of Little Rock, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died Monday, July 30, 2007, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. She gave everything she had with a true spirit in life and leaves a cherished legacy in death.
Retha was born Dec. 3, 1928, in Hot Springs to Coy C. Hayes and Byron S. Thompson. She attended schools in North Little Rock and graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1946. She received her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1950. Following graduation, Retha began her teaching career at Siloam Springs High School, where she met and married the love of her life, J.D. McGee on Dec. 23, 1950. She taught girl's P.E. for two years in Siloam Springs, before temporarily retiring to raise her family. Retha stood by her husband throughout his coaching and teaching career, and moved with J.D. to Little Rock in 1954, where they lived until 1981. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where she served as a children's Sunday school teacher for 17 years, as well as WMU Director, Baptist Women's president and G.A. leader. In 1979, Retha returned to teaching at Horace Mann Jr. High, where she taught girl's P.E. and coached the cheerleading and gymnastics squads.
In 1981, Retha and J.D. moved to Waldron where he served as superintendent of schools until 1986. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Extension Homemakers Club of Scott County, serving as president. In 1985-86 she served as Scott County Council president. In 2001, Retha was named Homemaker of the Year by Scott County Home Economists. Her love for the Lord led her to be actively involved at First Baptist Church, Waldron, where she again taught an adult women's Sunday school class and served in the WMU. She completed a five year term on the Arkansas State Baptist Women's Committee during this time, and she served as a volunteer at the Baptist Migrant Center in Hope. Other community services and interests in Waldron included the Garden Club, Retired Teachers Association of Scott County, and being a nursing home volunteer and Laubach Literacy teacher. In 1996-97, Retha served as the state president of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association.
J.D. and Retha moved back home to Little Rock in 2002, where they spent five wonderful years at Parkway Village. Retha quickly became involved in the fitness classes and served on the activities committee. She was known for remembering most of all the Parkway residents with birthday cards. Retha was once again a devoted member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
Sewing had long been Retha's hobby, but in recent years, quilting had become her favorite. She won numerous first place and best of show awards for her quilts. She lovingly crafted quilts for each of her grandchildren, and she presented the ninth quilt on the day before she died. Retha was an excellent cook, and her Thanksgiving dinners will be forever etched in our minds. She and the entire family enjoyed outings at Lake Ouachita for many years.
Retha always lived "as unto the Lord", and will eternally be remembered for her perpetually encouraging attitude and selfless acts of kindness to everyone she knew. Her greatest joy in life was her four children, their spouses and 11 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Kaye T. Bracken. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 56 years, J.D. McGee; three daughters, Sharon Hallmark and husband, Robert of Little Rock, Sandra Kurosaki and husband, Ryan of Benton, Paula Pope and husband, David of Little Rock; one son, Jim McGee and wife, Janith of Stuttgart; and 11 grandchildren, Rob, Wes and Beth Hallmark of Little Rock, Jason Kurosaki of Chicago, Drew (fiancee Ashley Swaffar), and Aaron Kurosaki of Benton, Meredith, Holly and Jay McGee of Stuttgart, and Nicole and Andrea Pope of Little Rock. Retha is also survived by a brother, John C. Thompson and wife, Dennis of Dallas; one sister, Sybil Edmondson and husband, Justus of Tulsa; brother-in-law, Neil McGee and wife, Lyla of Mabelvale; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Torbett and husband, Dan of Richmond, Ky. Her large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews will miss Retha as well.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Rob, Jason, Wes, Drew, Aaron and Jay, and son-in-law, David. The family will hold visitation at Roller Chenal Funeral Home today from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be a private family burial at Forest Hills Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Immanuel Baptist Church auditorium for all of her friends and family on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, at 11:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church Library or Building Fund, First Baptist Church of Waldron Building Fund, or Arkansas Retired Teacher's Association, Parkway Towers, 1200 Commerce St., Little Rock, AR 72202
Retha was born Dec. 3, 1928, in Hot Springs to Coy C. Hayes and Byron S. Thompson. She attended schools in North Little Rock and graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1946. She received her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1950. Following graduation, Retha began her teaching career at Siloam Springs High School, where she met and married the love of her life, J.D. McGee on Dec. 23, 1950. She taught girl's P.E. for two years in Siloam Springs, before temporarily retiring to raise her family. Retha stood by her husband throughout his coaching and teaching career, and moved with J.D. to Little Rock in 1954, where they lived until 1981. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where she served as a children's Sunday school teacher for 17 years, as well as WMU Director, Baptist Women's president and G.A. leader. In 1979, Retha returned to teaching at Horace Mann Jr. High, where she taught girl's P.E. and coached the cheerleading and gymnastics squads.
In 1981, Retha and J.D. moved to Waldron where he served as superintendent of schools until 1986. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Extension Homemakers Club of Scott County, serving as president. In 1985-86 she served as Scott County Council president. In 2001, Retha was named Homemaker of the Year by Scott County Home Economists. Her love for the Lord led her to be actively involved at First Baptist Church, Waldron, where she again taught an adult women's Sunday school class and served in the WMU. She completed a five year term on the Arkansas State Baptist Women's Committee during this time, and she served as a volunteer at the Baptist Migrant Center in Hope. Other community services and interests in Waldron included the Garden Club, Retired Teachers Association of Scott County, and being a nursing home volunteer and Laubach Literacy teacher. In 1996-97, Retha served as the state president of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association.
J.D. and Retha moved back home to Little Rock in 2002, where they spent five wonderful years at Parkway Village. Retha quickly became involved in the fitness classes and served on the activities committee. She was known for remembering most of all the Parkway residents with birthday cards. Retha was once again a devoted member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
Sewing had long been Retha's hobby, but in recent years, quilting had become her favorite. She won numerous first place and best of show awards for her quilts. She lovingly crafted quilts for each of her grandchildren, and she presented the ninth quilt on the day before she died. Retha was an excellent cook, and her Thanksgiving dinners will be forever etched in our minds. She and the entire family enjoyed outings at Lake Ouachita for many years.
Retha always lived "as unto the Lord", and will eternally be remembered for her perpetually encouraging attitude and selfless acts of kindness to everyone she knew. Her greatest joy in life was her four children, their spouses and 11 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Kaye T. Bracken. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 56 years, J.D. McGee; three daughters, Sharon Hallmark and husband, Robert of Little Rock, Sandra Kurosaki and husband, Ryan of Benton, Paula Pope and husband, David of Little Rock; one son, Jim McGee and wife, Janith of Stuttgart; and 11 grandchildren, Rob, Wes and Beth Hallmark of Little Rock, Jason Kurosaki of Chicago, Drew (fiancee Ashley Swaffar), and Aaron Kurosaki of Benton, Meredith, Holly and Jay McGee of Stuttgart, and Nicole and Andrea Pope of Little Rock. Retha is also survived by a brother, John C. Thompson and wife, Dennis of Dallas; one sister, Sybil Edmondson and husband, Justus of Tulsa; brother-in-law, Neil McGee and wife, Lyla of Mabelvale; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Torbett and husband, Dan of Richmond, Ky. Her large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews will miss Retha as well.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Rob, Jason, Wes, Drew, Aaron and Jay, and son-in-law, David. The family will hold visitation at Roller Chenal Funeral Home today from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be a private family burial at Forest Hills Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Immanuel Baptist Church auditorium for all of her friends and family on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, at 11:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church Library or Building Fund, First Baptist Church of Waldron Building Fund, or Arkansas Retired Teacher's Association, Parkway Towers, 1200 Commerce St., Little Rock, AR 72202
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