WALTER EDGAR MCGEE SR.

Walter Edgar McGee Sr. died peacefully on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey.
He was born in the family home to the late James Baker McGee and Sarah Wright McGee in Knoxville, Georgia, on Feb. 1, 1931 – or so we all thought until he obtained his birth certificate to secure a passport and saw the date listed as Feb. 2, 1931! He grew up in rural Georgia the youngest of 3 children and attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) for two years following high school. Upon completion of his studies at ABAC, he transferred to Auburn University where he graduated with a degree in horticulture in 1952. After college he served in the U.S. Army for two years and then moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he met his loving and devoted wife, Alyene, while she was in nursing school. They “met” when she answered the hall phone in the nursing school dormitory and after chatting for a while she agreed to meet him on a date. They were married on Aug. 16, 1956.
He worked for the USDA in Cordele, Georgia, and Birmingham, Alabama. In 1965 they moved to LaGrange, Georgia, where he headed up the landscaping division of Callaway Mills for seven years. He then owned and operated a nursery and landscaping company until 1978 when he accepted the position of Director of Parks for the City of Sumter. They have resided in Sumter since that time.
Walter possessed a unique sense of humor, enjoyed a good coconut cake, and always remarked on what beautiful a day it was no matter the weather. He was devoted to his family, community and his church, First Baptist Church of Sumter. The greatest gift he gave his children was the gift of faith. It was said of him that he related to all ages of people from the youngest to the oldest. He was happy to undertake any job, no matter how small or unimportant, and did it all as a reflection of his deep and abiding faith. He was passionate about the mission ministry to Romania traveling there countless times. He also worked on hurricane recovery support efforts.
Walter was an active member of the American Legion and loved going to P-15's baseball games. Another great passion was cheering on the Auburn Tigers. (War Eagle!)
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Baker McGee, and sister, Jane Hogan.
He is survived by his wife, Alyene; daughter, Virginia McGee Anthony (Mike); son, Walter Edgar McGee Jr. (Kathryn Bain); granddaughter, Helen Anthony; and grandsons, John Anthony (Emily), Joshua McGee and Matthew McGee.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at Elmore-Stephens-Cannon Funeral Home, 515 Miller Road, Sumter.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in the Elmore-Stephens-Cannon Funeral Home Chapel officiated by the Rev. Dr. Dan Barber and the Rev. Dr. Bob Calvert.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift to the General Mission Fund or the Senior Adult Ministry at First Baptist Church Sumter, 107 E. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.