James Riley McGee

Mr. James Riley McGee, age 88 of Fayette passed away Friday, January 22, 2021. Services will be Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Norwood-Wyatt Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Fayette, AL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn McGee; parents, Carrollton Russell McGee and Musa Brock McGee. Riley McGee was born in Millport, AL on February 5, 1932. He attended school at Fayette and graduated from there in 1950. He was a member of the 1949 undefeated Fayette County football team. He started dating Carolyn Wiggins (McGee) while he was in the ninth grade at Fayette and married her after graduation, on March 12, 1951. He attended Livingston University from 1950 – 1953 and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education. His first teaching job was at Stough Jr. High (1953 – 1954). His second employment was at Dallas County High School in Plantersville, AL. During his second job he found time to attend the University of Alabama to pursue a Master’s degree in Education. He often flew to classes with a friend in a small airplane in order to get his degree. After obtaining his Master’s degree, he became the principal of Kennedy High School in Kennedy, AL in 1959. He loved his job at the school, his students, his co-workers, and the whole town of Kennedy. While at Kennedy, he was a member of the Kennedy Methodist Church and a member of the Rotary Club. He retired from teaching in 1983 and became the Transportation Superintendent for the Lamar County school system in Vernon, AL. Also, in 1983, he and Carolyn returned to Fayette, AL to reside in the family home. He retired in 1990. After retirement, he enjoyed working in the yard, woodworking, building projects, and carpentry. He had many hobbies and things to keep him active. He always had a dog as a pet companion that usually rode with him in his truck. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and he was a Sunday School teacher for many years. He loved to sing gospel hymns. He was also a member of the Fayette Lions Club for many years. He loved trips to the Great Smokey Mountains. He was an avid Alabama Crimson Tide Football fan and could be heard by his neighbors yelling “Roll Tide” after touchdowns and he often attended the home games. In his later years, he and Carolyn mainly attended church events and enjoyed dining out frequently. He was always ready for a feast or a gathering of friends and family. He would tell you his major accomplishments were his children (three daughters). Sharlene was his first child and he would tell you he spoiled her. Sherry was his second born and he called her the “intelligent one”. Sandy was the third daughter born and he raised her as a tom boy and taught her to use tools and to build. He wanted a son very greatly but never had one. His grandson, Tim, was born in 1968 and he raised him. He felt as if Tim was like the son he never had. The love of his life was Carolyn Wiggins McGee who passed away two years and two months ago and now he has gone to be with her. Riley McGee was a happy and jovial man who loved life and family to the end. He is survived by his daughters, Sharlene McGee Stough of Hubbertville, Sandra McGee Hindman of Tuscaloosa, Sherry McGee White (Robert) of Pelham; grandchildren, Tim Foster of Glen Allen and Dustin Stough (Cari) of Hubbertville; and great-grandchildren, Hunter Foster, Cole Foster, Kennedy Stough and Sawyer Stough. Pallbearers are Gary Beard, Bill Dorroh, Claude Karr, John McDaniel, Mike Newman, and Ray Selman.