McKee, George
From his obituary: George
McKee was born on August 20, 1867 about one
and a half miles from east of Simpson, IL. He grew to manhood
on the farm
where he was born, and followed farming until he was 21 years
old. George
took as his wife Louisa Simmons and moved to Flatwoods where he
continued
farming. (From the notes of Wandie Morris: Sarah and George had
no
children of their own, but they kept an orphan, Minnie V. Nelson
until
she married Roy Morris. After Minnie had married, they kept another
orphan girl, Edith. She was from an orphanage in Creal Springs
where she
had lived for about two years. Edith did not know her last name.
From her
childhood home, Wandie Morris saw Edith try to jump inot a well.
George
McKee prevented it just in the nick of time. The next day Sarah
and
George took Edith back to Creal Springs. ) About 1918 he established
a
general store called the "The Flatwoods Store". In 1920
he sold "The
Flatwoods Store" and opened a store and restaurant in Simpson,
IL. Here
he enjoyed a good business, making many friends. George accepted
Christ
as his Savior at the age of 25 uniting with the County Line Baptist
Church where his membership remained until his death. He was always
devoted and faithful to his church. After Louisa died he married
Belle
Wooten. They too continued in the restaurant business. Many of
the young
folks gathered in the evenings at the McKee restaurant where they
enjoyed
warm and friendly fellowship. After his retirement from public
service
one could find the same welcome and warmth in his home; "
it was a good
place to visit." He regularly visited and provided help and
care for the
aged and ill. George died at his home in Simpson, IL after having
been in
ill health for many months. Funeral Services were held at the
Simpson
Baptist Church on Wednesday afternoon by Rev. Ernest Amon officiating
followed by internment in the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery.
Contributed by John R. Ragains, July, 1998 from Murlie Ragains
collection.