Charline (Allen) McGee was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 14, 1928, the youngest of four
sisters (Louise, Roberline and Velma Jane) and daughter to Robert Louis Allen and Rachel Gossett Allen,
both of Memphis.
Charline was raised and educated in Memphis, graduating with a Business Administration degree from
Memphis State University. While attending college, she met Robert (Clayton) McGee (she often
declared this was “the best thing that ever happened to her”) and they wed upon her graduation, in
June of 1950, and were married 41 years until Clayton’s passing in 1991.
In 1960, Clayton accepted a position with NASA in Huntsville, Alabama, relocating to neighboring Arab,
with their daughter, Wendy Charlise. Their son, Llane Clayton, was born three years later.
Charline welcomed the opportunity to serve her new community, as a member of the Arab Library
Board, the Arab Garden Club, and the Arab Mother’s Club. She was an enthusiastic Girl Scout Leader
(Troop 76) for several years. She co-founded the Sock and Buskin community theater group,
contributing as an actress, set decorator, and stage manager. She and Clayton were establishing
members of the Arab Country Club.
Charline was a woman of faith, serving as a member the Guntersville Presbyterian Church for decades,
ultimately fulfilling a role as deacon. She was President of the Christian Women’s Club for years and was
an in-demand speaker throughout the Southeast.
Charline delighted in offering her home as a gathering place for her children’s friends, knowing most
from their days attending Jack and Jill kindergarten, long stationed in her Main Street backyard. Animals
were cherished family members and ample strays were welcomed, revived, and loved over her lifetime.
She was a genuinely creative and artistic individual, expressed through painting, gardening and interior
decorating and was renowned for her extensive annual Christmas decorations.
Charline is survived by her daughter, Wendy McGee, son Llane McGee (Karolyn) and many who were
blessed to be enveloped by her maternal benevolence, strength, and humor.
A public memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on January 06, 2024, at the Huntsville Botanical
Gardens Carriage House.
The McGee family is profoundly grateful to the staffs of Thrive Assisted Living and Memory Care of
Huntsville, Limestone Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Athens, and Amedisis Hospice for their
exceptional care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations for the benefit of the Arab Public Library (325
Second St NW, Arab, Alabama 35016) and the Arab Animal Shelter (230 Hero Lane
Arab, AL 35016).
