McGehee, Rev. Dr. Carolyn J.

Peaceful, courageous, caring, beautiful, brilliant, spirit filled; loving and kind are words to describe Rev. Dr. Carolyn J. McGehee. She peacefully made her transition on the Wednesday morning March 31 st , 2021 at her home. Born September 9 th 1948 in Pine Bluff Arkansas, she was the daughter of her late parents, Fore and Edna Norman. She joined Centennial Baptist Church at a very early age under the leadership of Pastor S.B. Scott where she sang in the junior choir and senior choir. In 1966, she graduated from Southeast High school with honors. She was a definite believer in Education. She received her Master of Education in 1976 and she went on to receive her Doctorate of Education in 1986 with honors. On December 31, 1966 after 5 years of dating she married the love of her life, Charles McGehee in Chicago, IL. They enjoyed 54 years together. She was the proud parent along with her husband of two children Rosalind McGehee and Sean McGehee. They have two grandchildren Charles Poag and Camille McGehee and one great grandchild Tahlia Rose Poag. Upon coming to Chicago, she joined Liberty Baptist Church at 49th and King Drive under the leadership of Pastor A. Patterson Jackson where she was one of the official Greeters, Pastor Jackson loved to call on her almost every Sunday to greet the congregation, he would say “come on daughter” and oh!, how she loved to greet them. Later she and her family moved to Glenwood, IL where she joined Calvary Baptist Church in 1980, under the leadership of Pastor Carl K. Manson. Upon joining Calvary she worked in many capacities. First as the leader of the official Greeters, Church Clerk, and Sunday School Assistant Superintendent and then as a Sunday School Superintendent. In 1998 she received the Dedicated Service Sunday School Superintendent award. Under the second Pastor, David Bigsby she became an ordained minister and along with her friend Evangelist Millie Gray she would visit the nursing home and minister to the residents and later became the Leader of that ministry. In the Glenwood nursing home she did volunteer work in the houses of homebound individuals. Under Pastor Moses B. Herring she started the Seasoned Saints Ministry where she ministered to people of the ministry and every holiday she would bless them with many gifts. Under the present leadership of Dr. Jerry M. Grimes II, Rev. Dr. Carolyn J. McGehee served as an associate minister of Calvary Baptist Church where she worked and provided Christian service. She was an advocate Sunday School Teacher who loved to teach Kindergarten children. She faithfully attended Bible Study, Prayer Service, and Sunday School Teacher’s meetings and enjoyed participating in the Women’s Ministry. Rev. Dr. McGehee has many accomplishments; just a few includes working as a teacher and administrator for twenty four years with Chicago Public Schools and taught General and Special Education. She was an avid reader and she loved her students and she loved to dance. She also served as the Principal of Curtis Elementary School in Chicago, IL. In 1993 she became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporate. In 2003 the Delta Sorority honored her with The Echoes of Excellence award. She traveled many places beginning with 15 cruises, then to countries such as Turkey, China, Venus, Switzerland, France, Germany, Canada and all parts of the United States. She has had many challenges in her life but overcame them all with God in her life. She always knew that she was in God’s hands and when you’re in God’s hands no one can pluck you out of His hands. Rev. McGehee loved working for the Lord, being an obedient daughter of the Father and a Vessel to be used by God. She will be sorely missed. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” 2 Timothy 4:7 NLT Her Home going Celebration will be on Saturday April 10th, 2021 at Calvary Baptist Church 801 E. Glenwood Dyer Road, Glenwood, IL 60425. The Viewing is from 10am to 11am and the service is from 11am to12pm

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