Myrtle Magee

Myrtle Rogers was born in D’Lo, Mississippi to Plummer and Mary Rogers on July 16, 1927. Myrtle was fifth of seven children: Ruby, Henry, Bernice, Fairy, Myrtle, Myrtis, and Isaiah. The Rogers family lived in a rural textile/farming community and fellowshipped at Shiloh Baptist Church of D’Lo, where Myrtle accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at a tender young age.

Known for her love of the Word of God, reading, and memorizing long bible passages. Myrtle was often the winner of spelling bees and bible recitation contests. At the age of 12, Myrtle was sent to boarding school to further her education at The Prentiss Institute. Upon graduating and receiving her Associates degree, Myrtle was awarded a scholarship to study nursing and attend Jackson State College, now known as Jackson State University. However, at that time, her family was in danger of losing their farm, so she decided to return home and help her parents save their land by giving them her scholarship funds.

Myrtle returned to Prentiss Institute, finished her education, and began working at the school. During that time, she met and fell in love with a soldier named Edward Magee, who also graduated from Prentiss Institute. They married in 1949, worked hard, and started a family in 1950 with their firstborn, Dennis.

Being part of history’s “Great Migration” the young family moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1952. There they continued growing their family with the birth of their daughters, Linda and Francette, respectively. In 1955, they moved to Gary, Indiana, where years later, their youngest daughter, Wanda was born.

As they served in their community, Mr. and Mrs. Magee became charter members of a new body of believers known as New Revelation Baptist Church, founded by the late Reverend A.W. Williams. Myrtle Magee served as Church Clerk, Christian Education Leader, Mission Leader of the “Ruth Circle”, Deaconess, Willing Workers, and Red Cross. She remained a devoted member for nearly seven decades.

Mrs. Magee was employed at the Gary Public Library for over 40 years until her retirement. There she built relationships with the Brunswick and Downtown Gary communities, serving as the Librarian’s Clerk alongside Dorothy Swain, her supervisor, and many others.

Myrtle developed a love for traveling in the 60’s and has ventured to the Holy Land, Israel, Canada, New York, Florida, Colorado, Arizona and California where she spent many winters.

On September 3, 2022, at the age of 95, Myrtle Magee answered her Heavenly Father’s call by transitioning from earth’s realm into eternal life, bound for Glory ! She was preceded in by her parents; all of her siblings; many dear friends; her husband, Edward Magee, and her son, Dennis Magee.

She leaves to celebrate her legacy and mourn her passing, her daughters, Linda Magee of Inglewood, CA., Francette (Jeffrey) Williams of Merrillville, IN., and Wanda Magee of Inglewood, CA. :; daughter-in-law, Cheryl (Dennis) Magee of Atlanta, GA.; grandsons, Rodney Tew, Stacy Magee, Dennis Magee, III, Quinn Williams, and Christopher Magee; granddaughters, Nikiah Williams and Khalisa (Eric) Thompson; great-granddaughters, Brittany Magee and Tracey Magee; special nieces, Cassandra Blue-Reece, Deondra Blue, Brittiney Blue, Gloria Casher, Dorothy Baylis, and Penny Craft; special nephews, Leonard Magee, Vincent Magee, Bruce Blue, Stanley Garner,Stanley Jones, Plummer -Earl Jones, Edward Jackson, John Ross, and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends !

Visitation Monday, September 12, 2022,  10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m with Homegoing Services 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. from New Revelation Baptist Church 3140 West 21st Avenue Gary, Indiana.  Interment Ridgelawn cemetery.

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