Violetta McGee

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Violetta McGee, 89, of Sikeston died Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004, at Sells Rest Home in Matthews, Mo.

She was born Dec. 16, 1914, in Golconda, Ill., daughter of Henry Orson and Carrie Pinetta Bonnell Anderson.

McGee taught at Portageville and Marston, Mo., schools and retired from Sikeston School District where she taught third grade at Lee Hunter Elementary. She also served on the Southeast Missouri State University staff as a cooperating classroom teacher.

She was a member of First Christian Church and had been a deaconess and secretary of the board. She was named Sikeston's Woman of the Year in 1963, was past worthy patron of Order of Eastern Star, member and past officer of American Association of University Women, past president of Sikeston Community Teachers Association, and life member of the Alumni Association at Southeast.

McGee served on the executive boards of New Madrid County Farm Bureau, Red Cross, 4-H Clubs, Girl Scouts, served on the Sikeston Park Board, and was a Gray Lady at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

Survivors include a son-in-law, Jim Fakes of Sikeston.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, two brothers and two sisters.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, with Dr. Allen Shriver officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.