March 8, 2020

Funeral services will be held Saturday March 14, 2020 at 1 p.m., visitation from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in Hart Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for Rosie Lee Poole McGee, age 78, of Poplarville, MS, who died March 8, 2020 in Poplarville, MS.

She was a member of Green Grove Baptist Church. The Rev. Joey Marks will officiate at the service. Rev. George Tillman is the pastor of Hart Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Rose Park Cemetery under the direction of Baylous Funeral Home.

God give to each person gifts or talents. On February 16th, in the small, rural community of Savannah, Pearl River County, MS, a child was born, the 10th of 11 children, to Deacon Sim and Sister Mindy Ann Poole, that God had decided would be gifted with the “Gift of Song.” Music has been and still was an integral part of Sister Rosie McGee’s life. From her youth to now, the beginning of “Golden Years,” she has blessed many with her gift.

During her high school years at Todd Memorial in Poplarville, Mississippi, and through her college years at Mississippi Valley State located in Itta Bena, Mississippi, she participated in school musical programs. In college she majored in elementary education, and taught in the Poplarville School District for 30 years. Yet, her first love has always been singing.

She was an instrumental part of the music department for her home church, Green Groove Baptist Church, the Springhill District, as well as the Mississippi General State Sunday School and B.T.U. Congress. She has attended many workshops, state and national, over the years to gain more knowledge and understanding of gospel music, which she has passed on and freely shared with others.

Sister McGee has received many honors from the Springhill Triumph Sunday School Congress Mass Choir and the Springhill District Association in the music department (35+ years), the East Jerusalem Baptist Church and Green Grove Baptist Church in recognition and appreciation for her dedication in the area of music.

She was the director of Green Grove’s Adult Choir, church secretary and secretary for the Springhill District Scholarship Programs. She continued to work in the music department of the District and Mississippi General Congress.

Although she listened to and liked various forms of gospel music, the traditional gospel music continues to be her favorite. The music of Richard Smallwood and Reverend Timothy Wright and hymns such as “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “I Need Thee” were the kind of songs that really moved her. Besides her love of music, Sister Rosie loved to travel, both church and personal trips. At any given time if you had visited Green Grove or attended somewhere else in the district, you would likely have seen and heard Sister Rosie using that God given talent of song. Not only did a song continue to be on her lips, but most importantly, in her heart.

Survivors include one son, Chadwick McGee and one daughter, Tramindy McGee; four grandchildren Japonika, Chad Jr., Devin, and Kiesha; one brother, Wilma Bill Poole of Slidell, LA; three sisters, Estella Poole, Sharon Poole of Poplarville, and Lona Smith of Lancaster, CA.

Preceded in death by husband Commodore McGee; parents, Sim Poole, Sr., Mindy Thomas-Poole; two brothers, Roosevelt Poole Sr., and Rev. Sim Poole, Jr.; and four sisters, Carrie Robinson, Essie Kelley, Queen Ester Thomas, and Thelma Poole.

Baylous Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.