Travis Glen McGehee, 83, passed away Monday March 4th in Hospice care at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo as a result of a tragic accident while starting an old tractor on his property. Although having been left mildly impaired by a stroke this past November, he was determined to try and carry on a normal life in spite of frailties and doctor’s orders to the contrary. After the accident, due to the severity of his injuries, he knew recovery was not an option, accepted his fate, and insisted on no life prolonging procedures. He made his peace with the Lord, had closure with his loved ones, and slipped away the morning of March 4.
He was born May 9, 1932 in Pleasant Grove, Mississippi. He was the fifth of eleven children born to Emmette H. McGehee and Floy Peterson McGehee. He attended school at Sledge and joined the United States Army in June of 1949 at the age of seventeen, and was honorably discharged in October 1952. He trained in communications in the service and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He married Alma June Winfield August 8, 1951, while based in Germany attached to the 7th Army. After serving in the Army he went to work for Western Electric, then a division of AT&T, as a telephone switching equipment technician in Memphis, Tennessee. He later left Western Electric and took a job with Huffman Telephone Company in the same capacity. This allowed him and his wife to leave the city and move to Thaxton in 1969, thereby achieving his dream of raising his sons in the country style of living he had known in his youth.
Mr. McGehee is survived by his wife, June, of 64 years; his three sons, Paul and Jum McGehee currently residing in Entebbe, Uganda; Dennis and Connie McGehee of Vancouver, Washington, and Bruce McGehee of Pontotoc; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two younger brothers, Winford McGehee of Corinth, Earl McGehee of Horn Lake; and one younger sister, Shirley Steward of Vardeman.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Leo, Joe, and Oliver; and four sisters, Lorene, Maxine, Marie, and Rose
A memorial service will be held on the 84th anniversary of his birth at the Canaan Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, 12019 Highway 336 West in Thaxton, on May 9, 2016 at 10:45 AM. His sons will bring the eulogy. Per his wishes, his remains are being cremated and will be kept until such time as his wife joins him in the afterlife and their ashes will be mingled and scattered upon the earth. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Thaxton Fire Department, Care of Anna Scott, PO Box 44, Thaxton, MS 38871, as a show of gratitude for their life sustaining efforts.
