Leola Magee Funeral Program

Leola Magee was born on April 9, 1932, to Willie and Lula McCollum. She was reared in the Dry Ridge Community and joined the Greater Dry Ridge Missionary Baptist Church at a young age. She attended Dry Ridge Public School and later transferred to Harper High School where she played basketball with her sisters.

Leola united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Ethel Magee, Sr. on November 30, 1950. To this union thirteen (13) children were born, eight sons and five daughters. After marriage, she joined the St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church.

Leola will be remembered by many as an inspiring and anointed singer. Singing is what she loved best. She taught her husband and all her children the vocal parts of many songs and how to sing in harmony without music. When she would lead a song, the background was sure to get their parts right from the start. She would stop and would not sing until everyone had their parts corrected. Her singing was rendered unto the Lord, and she believed in giving God her best. As the manager and lead singer of the Evereadys (family gospel group), she arranged travel to various locations in and out-of-state with the assistance of other members in the group.

Leola leaves a beautiful legacy as a believer and witness for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Not only did she assist her family with singing, but her children at an early age observed her witnessing to others in the local community. She would ask one of her children to drive her from place to place to encourage others to accept Jesus as their personal Savior while also inspiring others to attend church. Her loving and kind spirit was carried out in many aspects through her life experiences.

Leola served in many capacities at her local church such as: a mother of the church (deaconess), coordinator of the dinning committee, pastor's aid, choir president, women's mission, and cook. She was always happy to serve in any area relating to Kingdom Building. She served and worked faithfully in her community and local church until her health failed.

Leola was employed at Magnetek Manufacturing Company where she made and retained lasting friendships after retirement. She also worked as a nurse's aide at Simpson General Hospital for many years. Additionally, she worked at Piney Woods School with the Elderly Village Program.

Leola made the best tea cakes and potato pies. You could taste the love in them. She loved her family and enjoyed having her children and grandchildren around her.

Leola was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her siblings, including her twin sister, Cleola Thompson; four sons, Ethel Lewis (Sonny) Magee, Michael Magee, Darrell McGhee, and James Magee; three grandchildren, Derrick Kemp, Marcell Perry and Toni Lindsey-Joseph; and one great grandchild, Jeremiah Cooper.

Leola leaves to mourn: five daughters, Lutritia Lindsey of Marrero, Louisiana, Tyrinda Magee of Collins, Mississippi, Gwendolyn Y. Hobbs (James) of Magee, Mississippi, Shirley Magee of Mendenhall, Mississippi, and Latasha J. Holmes (Jimmy) of Mendenhall, Mississippi; four sons, Ralph Magee (Gwen) of Detroit, Michigan, Minister Erskin R. Magee (Loretta) of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Karl E. Magee (Felicia) of Mendenhall, Mississippi, and Richard Magee (Debra) of Mendenhall, Mississippi; two daughters-in-law, Deitrick Magee and Regina McGhee; three sisters-in-law, Erma Magee, Mary Loise Jaynes, and Alice McCollum; one brother-in-law, Simp Magee; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.