OWENSBORO, Ky. — Marvadene Burdette McGehee long time resident of Owensboro, began her life’s journey in Ohio County, Kentucky, in 1934 as the middle child of Willis “Marvin” and Zelphia Boling Burdette. She grew up in the Herbert/Old Panther Creek area near Whitesville, Kentucky.
She was a sister to both Doris and Obed Edward. At the age of 20, she married a young widower, the love of her life, James “Tommy” McGehee. The next year her stepson, Michael Wayne McGehee was joined by a sister, Vickie. James Gregory completed the family with his arrival in 1961.
Caring for her husband and family in Owensboro was the focus of her younger years. However, she excelled at typing and operating the mimeograph machine at Temple Baptist Church for many years.
In addition to her secretarial work, she stayed busy as a self-taught seamstress. She made clothes for family and friends including a wedding dress for Vickie in 1979. She mastered many cross-stitch projects (winning local awards for some). She loved the creative process of designing and constructing quilts and the warm company of her fellow quilters. She had a life long love of reading and was especially fond of books about the Amish. She generously made quilts for her grandchildren Michael Thomas McGehee, Steven McGehee (sons of Michael W. and Karin), Matthew Crawford (son of Rick and Vickie) and Samantha McGehee (daughter of Pam and Greg). Two great-grandchildren, Connor and Isaac, enriched her final years.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews.
When Parkinson’s stole her ability to continue many of her hobbies she took up Sudoku and other brain teasing games. She made new friends at Evansville’s North River Senior Living in recent months.
She will be greatly missed by her family, extended family and friends. Betty Koller was her favorite hairdresser for many years. The children are especially proud of the devoted care of their father toward Marvadene. Tommy learned many new skills to keep her well cared for in their original 1959 home and their Indiana villa these past few months.
God bless the many Kentucky friends who visited, called, sent mail, mowed the grass, and trimmed bushes in the last two years. Your random acts of kindness are shining examples of how this world can be. We children could not be prouder of our parents and the loving example they set for us. We have been blessed.
Services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at James H. Davis Funeral Home in Owensboro, Ky. Private burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery. Visiting hours will be from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.