Johnnie A. McKee

JOHNNIE ARCHIE McKEE was born July 26, 1925 to the late Archie McKee and Hattie Thompson McKee, of Lumberton, NC. His father farmed the land and also owned a neighborhood convenience store. His early experiences in working the land, working with his hands and working with customers in his father's store prepared him for a life of service to his family, his community and his church. Johnnie received the Lord at an early age, while attending Hilly Branch Baptist Church in Lumberton. He attended Ridgestone High School, where he played on the school baseball team. He entered military service in 1943, where he served with distinction as a guard patrolman in the US Army Air Force until 1946. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Ribbon and the WWII Victory Ribbon. In 1950, he moved to Greensboro, NC to attend A&T College. He graduated with a Certificate in Industrial Arts in 1952. While at A&T he met his future wife, Ann Steele, whom he married in 1953. From this union a daughter, Hattie Christine, was born. The couple later relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, where he found employment with Bethlehem Steel, eventually rising to become a supervisor in the shipbuilding side. He was chosen for this position because he demanded perfection from himself and his 15-man crew. He retired from the Point in 1980, and spent his next 34 years working on his home, his church and his garden. Johnnie joined Heritage United Church of Christ in 1965. During his 49 year membershipo, he served on the Usher Board, Finance Committee, Trustee Board, Deacon Board, Men's Fellowship, and Facilities Staff. “I know Deacon Johnnie is up in heaven fixing something.” Daddy loved to work with his hands. In our home, he put up wallpaper, painted, refurbished floors, put in two bathrooms, redid the plumbing and wiring, and built the den, single-handedly, except for the brick wall, fireplace and hearth his cousin designed and built. At Heritage, he built the kitchen and bathrooms, and re-tiled the floors. He knew every nook of Heritage and he loved this house of worship. He also loved gardening. His harvests of tomatoes (a vegetable he rarely ate), green peppers, squash, cucumbers and collard greens were regularly given away to church members for their meals. He also loved sweets, especially cakes, pies, ice cream, cookies and candy. He was fond of making apple “hudgers” and squash pies, which he greatly enjoyed. He leaves to celebrate his life: his wife of 61 years, Ann; his daughter, Christine of Baltimore; nephew, Dr. J. David Ashford of Huntington Beach, California; brother-in-law, Billy R. Steele and sister-in-law, Susan Campbell of Harmony, North Carolina; cousins, Ruth House and Rosalie Mason of Baltimore; godsons, Reverend George Swift of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Mr. Kevin Waters, Sr. of Baltimore; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Johnnie A. McKee

July 26, 1925 - April 10, 2014