Janice Ann McGee

Janice Ann Anthony McGee, 79, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015 in Long Beach, MS. Mrs. McGee was born on July 02, 1936 in Memphis, TX and retired to Pass Christian, MS in 1994 with her husband John M. McGee. She was a long time member of the Pineville Presbyterian Church. She attended the University of New Mexico and was a lifelong homemaker. Mrs. McGee was preceded in death by her husband, John M. McGee, a son, John Kirk McGee, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Arthur Anthony. Survivors include a son, James A. McGee and four grandchildren: Shannon McGee of Anchorage, AK, Cory McGee of Boston, MA, Devin McGee of Hattiesburg, MS and Regen McGee of Pass Christian. Survivors also include a sister, Jamie Kay Lambeth of Las Cruces, NM. A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 17, 2015 at the Pineville Presbyterian Church beginning at 11:30 am, with a reception to follow at the church. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Humane Society of South Mississippi, 2615 25th Avenue Gulfport, MS 39501 in the name of Janice A. McGee. Arrangements handled by BRADFORD-O’KEEFE FUNERAL HOME, 15th St. Gulfport. Eulogy for Janice Ann Anthony McGee 08/17/2010 By: James A. McGee On August 14, 2015 at 4:46 am my dear, sweet, beloved mother departed her physical body and passed into the eternal Kingdom of God. This passing did not come without delay as she lingered for six days, hesitant to leave my daughters and me and intent upon making the final journey based upon her own terms. During the early morning hours, while in my embrace and in the presence of her granddaughters, my mom exhaled her final breath. Her date of choice was August 14th, the same day her father was born 105 years earlier. I know this was her plan because within the past three weeks during casual conversation, she randomly reminded me that her father’s birthday was coming up. I didn’t realize the significance then but I do now. My mom was born on July 02, 1936 in Memphis, Texas, a small west Texas town in the panhandle. The environment in Memphis is harsh and unforgiving, evidenced by the infamous Dust Bowl Days that plagued the region during the 1930’s. Growing up during an era sandwiched between the Great Depression and WWII my mom inherited the pioneer spirit. Her grandparents homesteaded West Texas during the 19th century and her father worked as a dryland farmer raising cotton and livestock to survive. My mom was a Texan, pure and simple, and with that she embraced a strong moral fiber. Her conservative principles were unwavering and uncompromised. She believed in strong maternal responsibility and she detested hypocrisy. Her love for her family was 100% unconditional. For 30 years I called her from all corners of the planet, at all hours of the day and night and she always answered my call with a voice of delight and a desire to discuss whatever was on my mind. She always “had my back”. She was my best friend, my confidant, my cornerstone and most of all, my Mother. Her formal education included one year of college and she was a Professor Emeritus in common sense. This was demonstrated everyday by the idioms she would recite that were passed down by her father. She was frequently “fixin” to do one thing or another. Giving directions always included the term “over yonder” and when something was unlikely to happen it was said to have a “snowballs chance in hades”. My personal favorite is “If a frog had wings, he wouldn’t bump his butt every time he hopped”, which recognizes that you can wish things were different than they are, but that does not make it so. My mother was a former barrel racer and an animal lover. Her household always included at least one Boxer dog. She regularly attended Sunday services at Pineville Presbyterian Church and she loved to eat out and visit the local casinos with her friends. She was adventurous. She was honest and she did not pass judgement. My mom did not own or want a computer. She considered them morally and socially destructive. Her life was not without despair. In 1980 she lost her youngest son, John Kirk, in 2002 she lost her husband John McGee and in 2005 she lost her home to Hurricane Katrina. All of these tragic events created seemingly insurmountable obstacles but her West Texas determination prevailed. When I asked her how she overcame such distress to include her current diagnosis she replied, “What did you want me to do? Throw my hands in the air and run around screaming and pulling my hair out? Jim, you have to confront adversity and move forward”. My mom was the most courageous individual that I have ever known. Intestinal fortitude is a term that she often used to encourage me to complete difficult tasks. She was the definition of intestinal fortitude. During her final moments of life I reassured her that I would carry-on in a way that would make her proud. Moments later her Father reached across the river, gently grasped her hand and guided her into Eternal Life. She exhaled her final breath and I inhaled her endless love. Crossing the Bar By: Alfred Lord Tennyson Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar.