Reverend Dr. Elijah Earl Mcgee

The Reverend Dr. Elijah Earl McGee, 71, entered eternal rest on Monday, August 24, 2020. Elijah was born December 25, 1948, in Hattiesburg, MS, to John Charles Sr. and Olivia Clemons McGee, who preceded him in death. Two sisters also preceded him in death, Jacqueline Moore and Jean McGee.

Elijah graduated from L.J. Rowan High School in Hattiesburg; Tougaloo College (B.A. cum laude) in Tougaloo, MS; and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Evanston, IL, He received an honorary Doctor of Ministry degree from Rust College, Holly Springs, MS.
Elijah served as District Superintendent of the former Cumberland District of the Tennessee Conference. Seven years later, he was appointed Associate Director of the Tennessee Conference Council on Ministries.

His pastorates include: St. James United Methodist Church (UMC), Ocean Springs, MS; St. Paul UMC, Biloxi, MS; Gordon Memorial UMC, Nashville, TN; Ebenezer UMC, Nolensville, TN; John Wesley UMC, Nashville; and Associate Pastor Ezion-Mt. Carmel UMC, Wilmington, DE.
A few of his community involvements include: the first Black President of the Biloxi School Board; Gamma Phi Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; Nashville Chapter NAACP; Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship; Northwest Civitan Club; and The Fraternal Order of Freemasons.

Cherishing his memory are his devoted wife of 40 years, Sheila Woods McGee; son, Evinn (Nycole) Beck of Ridgeland, MS; grandsons, Exavier and De’jour; brothers, Willie Leon (Faye) McGee of Atlanta, GA; John Charles McGee Jr., of Los Angeles, CA; sister-in-law Lois Kimbro of Los Angeles; brothers-in-law, Anthony (Carolyn) Woods of Ocean Springs, and Major Moore of Zion, IL; nieces, Sheryl English of Denton, TX, Christian McGee, of Los Angeles, Adrienne Woods of Ocean Springs; Maria Stallworth of Leavenworth, KS; nephew, D’artanon McGee of Los Angeles; other relatives, friends, clergy colleagues, and a dedicated group of Tennessee State University basketball and football players.