Celebrating the life of
Betty Houck McGee Utsey
July 02, 1922 - February 10, 2008
SAVANNAH Betty Houck McGee Utsey, age 85, died peacefully, Sunday, February 10, 2008.
Betty was born July 22, 1922, in East St. Louis, Illinois. She was the daughter of Mildred Gill and Charles Edward Houck and the sister of Charles Houck. She attended E. St. Louis High School and Knox College in Galesburg, IL. She was married to Norman Addison McGee for 34 years until his death in 1977.
With characteristic modesty, she was deeply involved in many endeavors and organizations that allowed her to live out her Christian faith by showing all what it means to love one's neighbor as one's self. She was a founding member of the Pastoral Counseling Center board and a trustee of the Presbyterian Homes, a board member and later vice chair of the Rourke Memorial Foundation, a board member of Georgia Infirmary and past president of Williams Court Apartments for elderly and disabled adults. Since joining 1st Presbyterian Church in 1946, she held numerous leadership and outreach ministry positions including the Congregational Care Committee, John Knox Center Committee, President of Presbyterian Women, Stewart Hall Renovation Task Force and the Memory Garden and Building Fund Committees. Her life's mission statement is summed up in these words found in 2 Timothy 2:24: "be gentle unto all."
She leaves behind her loving and faithful husband of 28 years, James E. Utsey and his daughter Jimmie Ireland; three daughters, one son and their spouses, Joy and John Heitmann, Jane McGee Coslick, Patricia and Tom Walton and Marni and Norman McGee; nine grandchildren; Kathryn Heitmann, Winn Coslick, Bauer Coslick, Mary Addison Morgan, Norman McGee, III, Sam McGee, Sara Jane McGee, Maggie McGee and Leslie Ann McGee; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews. She is now with her grandson, John A. Heitmann, III J.T..
Visitation will be held at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel, from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday. A memorial service will be held at 1st Presbyterian Church at Noon on Wednesday followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Young Life Savannah, PO Box 22516, Savannah, GA, 31403 or the 1st Presbyterian Church, 520 E. Washington Ave., Savannah, GA, 31405. Family mailing address is 1 Savannah Square, Apt. 404, Savannah, GA, 31406 or at www.caringbridge.org/visit/bettyutsey.
Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
God bless you and your family, Jane. We know that you will dearly miss your mother and we were so sad for you when we heard. Know we are thinking of you. Much love, Ryan and Kirsten
- Ryan & Kirsten schiff, Glen Ellyn, IL
Patricia, I just lost my Mom back in August, so my heart goes out to you and all of your family. I had the chance to see your Mom at Savannah Square back in May or June. It was great to see her after all of these years. Take care and God Bless you. Cackie Miller Alley
- Cackie Miller Alley, Pleasant Garden, OR
Our prayers have been with you during this difficult time. The knowledge that your Mother is now in heaven and at peace with your Father is hopefully a comfort to you all.
- Diane and Tony Phillips, Statesboro, GA
Please accept my condolences. As church secretary at First Presbyterian Church, I have worked with Betty on many occasions. She was a very wonderful and compassionate person. She will be missed.
- Mary Louise Edleman, Savannah, GA
I just wanted to give you and your family my condolences. I can only imagine how hard this must have been for you. It was truly a honor to have taken care of Betty and to get to know you and the rest of her family as well. She will be fondly remembered for years to come. God Bless You!
- Sherri H Select Specialty Hospital, Savannah, GA
As I good friend of Jimmie Utsey's I pray for God's loving arms to embrace your family at this time and continue to carry you in the coming days as you grieve this loss. Remember the good times and forget the struggles. Her fight is over and victory is hers! Sincerely, Melodie
- Melodie M. Moore, Savannah, GA
Betty loomed large in my life and that of my family. I remember to this day the first time I met her, her graciousness, her kindness, her warm smile, and gentle voice. Whoever among you wrote the obituary was right on target regarding her Christian faith and her care for others. First Presbyterian Church, the Savannah community, and the lives of countless people are better, far better for the gift of having known her and shared life, faith, and love with her. Mary and I have you all in our prayers. May God's grace sustain you and his peace fill your hearts to overflowing. 'O what their joy and their glory must be, those endless Sabbaths the blessed one's see.' Mary and Dudley Weaver
- Dudley Weaver, St. Augutine, FL
My family and I have known Betty for as long as I can remember. She and my mother,Kate Johnson, were in the same Circle and joined each other for Sunday dinner many times at the Fairmont. I was privileged to be a part of that friendship at times,and I cherish those moments. Betty was also special to my brother, Jerry Johnson, who found comfort in her upbeat attitude and unwavering spirit. She was an inspiration to us all. Roberta Johnson Bonwit
- Roberta Bonwit, Pensacola, FL
Norman, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family during this difficult time. Although I did not know your Mother, after reading her obit she sounds like she was a wonderful person. You are the same type of person. My condolescences to you and your family, Karin
- Karin Emmons, Anderson, SC
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I wish you all the best in these hard times.
- Philip Brekke, clemson, SC
I'll remember her as a loving and caring Mother to Norman and Marni and her love for the McGee children. I always enjoyed my conversations with her and will fondly remember our last meal together in Pendleton just a few weeks ago followed by some touring, just the two of us in my pickup. She was kind, gracious, throughtful, and a true Southern lady in every positive way. She was brave in her battle over the past 50 days, always more worried about others than herself. My deepest sympathy goes to those who called her wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor, and friend. Charlie Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- Charlie and Judith White, Clemson, SC
God bless you and your family, Jane. We know that you will dearly miss your mother and we were so sad for you when we heard. Know we are thinking of you. Much love, Ryan and Kirsten
- Ryan & Kirsten schiff, Glen Ellyn, IL
Patricia, I just lost my Mom back in August, so my heart goes out to you and all of your family. I had the chance to see your Mom at Savannah Square back in May or June. It was great to see her after all of these years. Take care and God Bless you. Cackie Miller Alley
- Cackie Miller Alley, Pleasant Garden, OR
Our prayers have been with you during this difficult time. The knowledge that your Mother is now in heaven and at peace with your Father is hopefully a comfort to you all.
- Diane and Tony Phillips, Statesboro, GA
Please accept my condolences. As church secretary at First Presbyterian Church, I have worked with Betty on many occasions. She was a very wonderful and compassionate person. She will be missed.
- Mary Louise Edleman, Savannah, GA
I just wanted to give you and your family my condolences. I can only imagine how hard this must have been for you. It was truly a honor to have taken care of Betty and to get to know you and the rest of her family as well. She will be fondly remembered for years to come. God Bless You!
- Sherri H Select Specialty Hospital, Savannah, GA
As I good friend of Jimmie Utsey's I pray for God's loving arms to embrace your family at this time and continue to carry you in the coming days as you grieve this loss. Remember the good times and forget the struggles. Her fight is over and victory is hers! Sincerely, Melodie
- Melodie M. Moore, Savannah, GA
Betty loomed large in my life and that of my family. I remember to this day the first time I met her, her graciousness, her kindness, her warm smile, and gentle voice. Whoever among you wrote the obituary was right on target regarding her Christian faith and her care for others. First Presbyterian Church, the Savannah community, and the lives of countless people are better, far better for the gift of having known her and shared life, faith, and love with her. Mary and I have you all in our prayers. May God's grace sustain you and his peace fill your hearts to overflowing. 'O what their joy and their glory must be, those endless Sabbaths the blessed one's see.' Mary and Dudley Weaver
- Dudley Weaver, St. Augutine, FL
My family and I have known Betty for as long as I can remember. She and my mother,Kate Johnson, were in the same Circle and joined each other for Sunday dinner many times at the Fairmont. I was privileged to be a part of that friendship at times,and I cherish those moments. Betty was also special to my brother, Jerry Johnson, who found comfort in her upbeat attitude and unwavering spirit. She was an inspiration to us all. Roberta Johnson Bonwit
- Roberta Bonwit, Pensacola, FL
Norman, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family during this difficult time. Although I did not know your Mother, after reading her obit she sounds like she was a wonderful person. You are the same type of person. My condolescences to you and your family, Karin
- Karin Emmons, Anderson, SC
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I wish you all the best in these hard times.
- Philip Brekke, clemson, SC
I'll remember her as a loving and caring Mother to Norman and Marni and her love for the McGee children. I always enjoyed my conversations with her and will fondly remember our last meal together in Pendleton just a few weeks ago followed by some touring, just the two of us in my pickup. She was kind, gracious, throughtful, and a true Southern lady in every positive way. She was brave in her battle over the past 50 days, always more worried about others than herself. My deepest sympathy goes to those who called her wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor, and friend. Charlie Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- Charlie and Judith White, Clemson, SC
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
