It is with much sadness that we share the passing of our beloved mother and “Mamaw”, Marianna Oates McGehee, 89 of Greenville on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital surrounded by her loved ones. Marianna was born January 15, 1935 in Muhlenberg County to the late Elgin McAfee and Flora Belle Bethel Oates. She was raised in the small community of Depoy with 2 sisters and lots of close relatives. She began work at a young age at the local dime store and met the love of her life Lois Ray McGehee. They wed September 20, 1954 shortly after his return from the Korean War and started a family in Greenville. They later purchased a farm just south of Greenville and established the homestead for their entire family today. They enjoyed life together for 46 years until his passing in 2000. She was a member of Carter Creek Missionary Baptist Church where she had many dear friends. Marianna loved to cook large meals for her entire family and taught her children and grandchildren how to cook. She always had a variety of home cooked country food and enjoyed having anyone sitting at her table to eat and watch her “shows”. She had an incredible work ethic and was seen serving the public with a smile for 30 years at Countzler’s Drug Store. She worked endlessly even after retirement to take care of her family on the farm and could often be seen in her garden or mowing her yard up until last fall. She proudly helped to raise all of her grandchildren and instilled a love for animals and the importance of family values in each of them.
Marianna was preceded in death by her husband Lois Ray McGehee, sister Dorothy Nell Dukes and grandson Jeremy Ray McGehee.
She is survived by 2 sons Gary Ray McGehee (Judy) and Judge Executive Mack McGehee (Vanessa), 3 proud grandchildren Matthew McGehee (Sara), Samantha McGehee Martin (Cody), and Morgan McGehee, 2 great grandchildren Hannah McGehee Schnadinger (Nate) and Tucker McGehee-Sherrod, 1 sister Bernice Wagoner, several nieces and nephews, and her canine companion Scarlet.
Visitation will be held at Gary’s Funeral Home from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, July 22, 2024 and on Tuesday the 23, 2024 from 10:00 AM to time of funeral at Carter Creek Missionary Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Carter Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville KY with Bro. John Day III officiating. Burial will follow in Carter Creek Cemetery in Greenville KY.