Gaynelle McGee

Gaynelle Beasley McGee, of Durham, North Carolina, passed peacefully at home on May 21, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and her beloved poodle.

Gaynelle was one of eight children, raised by her mother in Four Oaks, North Carolina. She was no stranger to hardship—growing up during the Depression era taught her the values of self-sufficiency, hard work, and resilience, which shaped the rest of her life. At 19, she moved to Durham with her husband, Eldridge “Mac” McGee, beginning a new chapter of married life and commitment.

She was a woman of many chapters. One of her first jobs was sewing sheets at Erwin Mills, where she was known for her speed and precision—a point of pride she carried throughout her life. She later worked for many years at Burroughs Wellcome and eventually GlaxoSmithKline. After her first retirement, Gaynelle returned to work at the EPA, where she served for over a decade before retiring once again in 2017.

She even spent a few exciting years traveling the globe as a ballroom dancer with the Fred Astaire Dance Studio—gracefully twirling across dance floors far from home.

Gaynelle lived life on her terms—fiercely independent to the very end. Even as her body aged, her determination never wavered. Though mobility became difficult, she continued living independently, climbing stairs with slow, deliberate steps and clinging to her walker with grit. Though her body bent with age, her will never did.

She found joy in the simple, everyday beauty of life. She loved family beach trips to Myrtle Beach, shopping with her poodle in tow, and front porch moments with a Diet Coke in hand, listening to birdsong and soaking in the view of her yard. Her home was always immaculate—a pristine housekeeper to the last detail. She was a longtime member of both Greystone Baptist Church and King’s Park International Church, finding strength and community in her Christian faith.

Gaynelle had a sharp wit, a few favorite expressions—especially, “That beats all I’ve ever seen!”—and an unshakable dislike of getting her picture taken. She had a sweet tooth for sweet potatoes and pecan pie and a huge heart for her family. Though she valued her independence, her family was always close to her heart. She called them often, kept up with their lives, and made sure they always knew they were loved. She was always a best friend in times of need, offering a listening ear, wise words, and steadfast love.

To those who knew her, she was more than a matriarch. She was a devout Christian, a steady listener, a comforting presence, and the emotional anchor of her home. Her family will remember her as kind, generous, loving, deeply devoted, and the very definition of grace under pressure.

Gaynelle is survived by her son, Rick McGee, and his wife Penny; her grandchildren, Scott McGee and Lindsay McGee Handrich; Lindsay’s husband, Matthias; her step-grandchildren Dylan, Reid, and Maggie; and her great-grandchildren: Emory, Emerald, Peter, Jordan, River, Maple, and Daisy Nelle. She is also survived by her sister, Joyce Hubbard, and her devoted niece, Barbara Munden, whose daily presence and care brought great comfort in Gaynelle’s final days.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Eldridge Guy McGee, her parents Wade and Lydia Lois Barbour Beasley and her siblings: Rayvon Beasley, Dovil Beasley, Kenneth Beasley, Hazel Ryals, Faye Beasley, and Linda Sue Moore.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor her memory by showing tenderness and care to someone in your life today—and every day.