Rev. Mcgee

Rev. Michael Lewis McGee, 82, passed away unexpectedly on August 25, 2012. He was born in Walhalla, SC, on August 23, 1930, to the late Lewis Arthur McGee and Lillian Pitchford McGee. He was preceded in death by Jo Rice McGee, his wife of 60 years, who died on June 3, 2012. Mike grew up in Asheville, NC, and was a graduate of Mars Hill College and Furman University. He was ordained into the ministry in 1952 and received his Master's of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1955. Mike had a heart for serving others and was a full-time pastor for 45 years at seven different Baptist churches. After retirement in 1996 he served as interim pastor in 12 additional churches and provided pulpit supply in over 50 churches between his interim pastorates. He preached his final sermon at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia, Iowa, on August 19, 2012. He was Pastor Emeritus at Morningside Baptist Church, where he also served as the Homebound Visitation Coordinator. Mike volunteered for Mobile Meals of Spartanburg for over 15 years and coordinated the Chaplaincy Program at St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic for 12 years. He was an avid reader, walker, traveler, Scrabble player, and carpenter. Mike loved life, his family, the Amish people, his church congregations and above all, Jesus Christ, his Savior and Lord. Mike is survived by his four children, David McGee and wife Ceil of Charlotte, NC, Cathy Schwartz and husband Jay of Greenville, SC, Sarah McGee-Lenth and husband Dave of Castalia, IA, and Carol Blair and husband Steven of Waynesboro, VA; nine grandchildren, Jennifer (Aerrick) Steinwand, Drew Colton, Ally Colton (Joshua Porter), Sally (David) Mertens, Greg Schwartz, Jonas Lenth, Solas Lenth, Isaiah (Michelle) Blair and Aaron Blair; and six great-grandchildren, Marlee and Brycen Steinwand, Abigail and Madilyn Mertens, and Aleyah and Elijah Blair. He also is survived by his sister, Joan McGee of Walhalla; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, "Mike" and Michael Swaim of Spartanburg; nephew, Corey Swaim and wife Jacqueline; and great-nephews, Christian, McNeill, and Andrew. Mike will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He left a legacy of service, and his spirit will live on through the countless lives he impacted. Our family is thankful that he has been reunited with his "sweetheart" Jo and is at peace in the arms of Jesus. Visitation will be 6:00-9:00 PM Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at Morningside Baptist Church. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday, August 30, 2012, at Morningside Baptist Church, 897 South Pine St., Spartanburg, SC, by the Rev. Dr. Kirk H. Neely. A private family interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, 897 South Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304; or St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic, PO Box 3466, Spartanburg, SC 29304. The family is at the home, 700 Meadowbrook Dr., Spartanburg, SC. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rev. Michael Lewis McGee please visit our Sympathy Store.