Ethel McGhee
Ethel Jean McGhee, 91, made her transition from this earth to her heavenly home on Monday, August 8, 2022, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
She was born on Dec. 23, 1930, to parents, Darion Smith Wingfield and Hazel Halbert. She was educated in the Chattanooga Public Schools and attended Howard High School.
Ethel Jean accepted Christ in 1952 and was a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. M.H. Ribbins. She was a member for over 70 years. She was married to Willie C. McGhee for over 50+ years until his passing.
She was an extremely easy going, loving, peaceful, and modest person. She was humble, easy to talk to and was a great listener. Ethel was affectionately known as “Teacher” by her own grandchildren, and other children she kept in her home nursery. She kept children in her home for over 15 years and has maintained life-long relationships with many of them and their families.
Ethel Jean was also a master cook, making those pots ‘burn’ with the soul food she was known to fix. You could stop over after work and find her cooking her delicious macaroni and cheese, turnip greens, potato salad and pinto beans, just to name a few of her signature dishes that always had people asking for seconds. She enjoyed the company of her friends and family.
Ethel Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Darion and Lester Paul Wingfield, Sr; husband, Willie C. McGhee; sons, Barry, and Bruce McGhee; brothers, Curtis Halbert and Lester Paul Wingfield, Jr. and brother-in-law, Darnell J. ‘DJ’ Moore.
Those who cherish her memory include her loving and devoted daughter, Beverly J. Stuckey; son, Boyd McGhee, Long Beach, Ca.; daughter-n-law, Mica McGhee, Powder Springs, Ga.; sister, Gwen W. Moore; grandchildren, Darion and David Stuckey; Daphne M. Sims and Candace (David) Carpenter; Logan and Landon McGhee; Barry McGhee, Jr.; nieces, Ivy (Henry) Smith, Jackson, TN; Daphne Moore; nephews, Darnell (Yesenia) Moore, Dallas, TX; Tony and Anthony (Stephanie) Wingfield, Los Angeles, CA; eight great-grandchildren, Keveon Stuckey and Sundiata X. Stuckey; Adam, Jessica and Joshua Berry; Zaiya McGhee; and JaMarcus and Ladarian McGhee; nine Great-Nieces & Nephews, Kaiya Moore; Danielle Strickland; Kingston & Emery Moore; Brittany Smith; Amber, Aaron, Adrian & Amaya Wingfield; Cousins, Andrew (Karin)Smith; Brenda Blake; Johnny and Lakita Howard, and other relatives from California, Georgia, Texas, Maryland, and Oregon.
Public viewing will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995, followed by an 11:30 a.m. graveside service at Beautiful Greenwood Cemetery.