Ruth Hess Magee's Obituary
McLEAN SERVICES - 2:00 pm, Thursday, January 27, 2011 in Robertson Funeral Directors Route 66 Chapel in McLean with Rev. Thacker Haynes, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in McLean, officiating. INTERMENT - Magee Ranch Cemetery near McLean. ARRANGEMENTS - Robertson Funeral Directors of McLean. Mrs. Magee was born October 5, 1916 to Jake and Bessie Sitter Hess, the second of four children. Her grandparents and parents were pioneer ranchers in Donley and Collingsworth Counties. Ruth grew up in a ranch house 20 miles south of McLean. She and her siblings attended school at Enterprise during their elementary years, then attended high school in McLean. Ruth and her sister, Margaret, commuted to McLean High School in a Model A Ford, sometimes staying in town with their grandparents, George and Nannie Sitter. While in high school, Ruth participated in tennis, girls basketball, choir, and was valedictorian of her graduating class in 1933. She then attended Texas Tech College for two years before returning to McLean, secured her teaching certificate at West Texas Normal College, and began teaching at Enterprise. Ruth met Clyde Magee, the local vocational agriculture teacher newly arrived from southern Louisiana, and their courtship led to marriage on July 19, 1936. They made their home in McLean. This union led to many years of stewardship in caring for their ranch land and tending their herd of registered Hereford cattle. Ruth continued her interest in the cattle even after Clyde’s death in 1975, finally selling the last of their herd of registered cows in 1980. A dedicated Methodist, Ruth participated in United Methodist Women, serving as district and conference historian. She was president of the Pampa District of the Northwest Texas Conference and also served as the conference chairperson of the Northwest Texas Commission on Archives and History and continued as a member of the Texas United Methodist Historical Society. Ruth was instrumental in securing state historical markers for the McLean United Methodist Church, as well as other Methodist churches throughout the area. Locally, she taught Sunday school and helped with vacation bible school for many years an served on various committees in the church. Because of Ruth’s interest in the cattle business, she became active in the Texas Hereford Breeders Auxiliary, serving as its president in 1969, and was also a member of the Top O’ Texas Cowbelles. Always interested in community activities, she was the first woman to be elected to the McLean City Council, and was appointed to serve on the board of the Panhandle Health Systems Agency. In 1980 she was named a recipient of the Texas Panhandle Distinguished Service Award. Locally, she served as PTA president and spent 16 years as a room mother. Ruth supported her daughters in the Order of Rainbow for Girls and served as Mother Advisor, then Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star. In 2004, she received her 50 year membership pin from the Order of Eastern Star. She was a member of the Texas and Gray County Historical Foundations, the Knife and Fork Club of Pampa, The Pioneer Study Club, the Lovett Library Board and served as past president of the McLean Cemetery Association. For many years she played the piano when called upon, especially at the McLean Care Center. In recent years she enjoyed participating in the McLean School reunions, often winning the prize for being the oldest graduate in attendance, or being the oldest woman athlete present. Following her husband’s death, Ruth began traveling, usually with friends, saw many countries around the world, and loved every minute of it. PRECEDED IN DEATH BY - her husband, Clyde J. Magee, a daughter, Janiece Magee, two sisters, Margaret Hess Coleman and Mary Hess Dwyer; a brother, F. J. Hess; and a nephew, Ray Dwyer. SURVIVORS - her son, Joe and his wife, Kay Magee of McLean; daughters, Marilyn and husband Juan Chavez of Phoenix, AZ, and Donna Magee Smith of Amarillo; a son in law, Ron Francisco of Plainwell, MI; grandchildren, David and Buffie Smith of Clarendon, J. P. and Paloma Money of El Paso, Misty and Jimmy Hannon of Water Valley, Destry and Katy Magee, and Mindy and Cal Holwick all of McLean; great grandchildren, Taylor Smith, Tyler Smith, Trenton Smith, and Brooke Smith all of Clarendon, Kaylyn Magee of Kansas City, KS, Trae Hannon and Bradley Hannon of Water Valley, Jack Magee, Kayden Holwick, Holden Holwick, and Hennesy Holwick all of McLean, J. B. Money of El Paso; nieces, Caroline Loupe and Glenn Turner of New Gloucester, ME, Margaret and Van Joffrion of Blowing Rock, NC, Rose and Dale Steel of McLean, Nancy Blackburn of San Antonio, Sarah and John Fox and Jan and Dennis Watts of Lubbock; nephews, Dr. Nelson Dwyer of Amarillo, Jake Hess of McLean, Max and Carolyn Coleman of Whitewater, KS. MEMORIALS - The family suggests that memorials be to the building fund at First United Methodist Church / PO Box 125 / McLean, Texas 79057-0125 THE FAMILY MAY BE CONTACTED AT - 301 North Grove / PO Box 309 / McLean, Texas 79057-0309. Phone 806.779.2737
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