Billy Joe McGee, age 83, passed away Sunday, February 17, 2019, at Winston Medical Center Nursing Home in Louisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 19, in the Nowell Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ross Holleyman and Rev. Ray Johnson officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 11 a.m. until service time at Nowell Massey Funeral Home in Louisville. Interment will follow in Old Mars Hill Cemetery.
Billy Joe was born October 15, 1935, to Jesse Edward and Verna Todd McGee in Winston County. He was a member of Mars Hill Pentecostal Church and has served as a deacon at both Mars Hill Baptist Church and Bethel Baptist Church. Billy Joe worked as a driver at Spot Cash Wholesale in Kosciusko and at Georgia Pacific in Louisville. He enjoyed many outdoor activities including farming –he had cows and chicken houses and he loved gardening.
Billy Joe is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lois Bennett McGee of the Four Corners Community; and four daughters Gloria Chandler and husband Sam of Canton, North Carolina; Donna Kemp and husband Jimmy of Florence, Alabama; Daphne Partridge and husband Barry of Canton, Mississippi; and Linda Robertson and husband Mike of Louisville. One of his greatest joys was being “Pop” to his five grandchildren: Jennifer Chandler (Justin) Messer; Sean (Tonya) Partridge; Corey (Lindsey) Kemp; Courtney Partridge (Mike) Jones; and Jesse Kemp (Coty) Hand. He also leaves behind 10 great-grandchildren: Caleb, Nora, and Nathan Chandler; Molly, Anna, and Tanner Kemp; Jase and Jade Partridge; Levi Jones; and Olivia Hand. He is preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters Juanita and Bernice McGee.
Serving as pallbearers are Sam Chandler, Corey Kemp, Jimmy Kemp, Barry Partridge, Sean Partridge, and Mike Robertson. Honorary pallbearers are Caleb Chandler, Coty Hand, Mike Jones, and Justin Messer. Memorials in honor of Billy Joe may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tribute Program, P. O. Box 1000 Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or to Old Mars Hill Cemetery Fund, c/o Sewanna Watson, 11781 Highway 19 N, Philadelphia, MS 39350.
Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
