Obituary for Gloria W. McKee
On the morning of August 26, 2020, Gloria W. McKee transitioned to her heavenly home. She lived a life full of love and friendship.
Gloria was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to Willie White Sr. and Elmer B. White as the middle child of three. Her siblings include two brothers, Ivory Blunt(deceased) and Willie White, Jr. of New Orleans.
In 1956, Gloria graduated from Walter L. Cohen Senior High in New Orleans. She continued her education at Dillard University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Speech and Drama in June 1960. While at Dillard University, she met fellow Bleu Devil, Henry McKee, Jr. After graduation, they were married December 24, 1961, while Henry was home on leave from his new career in the U.S. Army.
Gloria began her teaching career in the English Department at McDonogh 35 Senior High in New Orleans. That assignment lasted six years, until 1966 when she and Henry moved to Detroit, Michigan. She continued her career with the Detroit Public Schools at Durfee Junior High, Cass Technical High and Redford High.
A few years after moving to Detroit a daughter was born, Alison Kathleen. Motherhood did not stop Gloria from pursuing a second degree. The two traveled from Detroit to Ann Arbor until Gloria completed her Master of Education in Instructional Technology from the University of Michigan.
A summer highlight for mother and daughter was to return to New Orleans. During that time, she, Alison and her nieces Vanessa McKee and Tracey Marshall (deceased) would have a mini girls’ trip of shopping and lunch, thus passing the shopping gene along. They also ventured to Florida A&M Homecoming, Broadway shows in New York and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. conventions.
Following her retirement, she joined some neighbors and formed the Littlefield Avenue Ladies of Leisure. Many of them were from the same block, as well as former teachers in the Detroit Public Schools. They would meet periodically for lunch and fun, especially when the other teachers were returning for the new school year.
Gloria was an avid sports fan and loyal supporter of the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions. Henry loved to brag on her ability analyze plays, especially the Tampa 2 Defense. She also enjoyed NCAA Basketball and the Final Four. Recently, she had become a fan and follower of Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton. She and Henry enjoyed road trips to HBCU football games, primarily the 100 Black Men Classic in Atlanta and the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis.
Together they enjoyed the theatre, dining at Joe Muer’s plus travel covering large swaths of the US and Canada. The icing was spending the 2013 Christmas in Honolulu, on Waikiki Beach as an anniversary present. For health reasons, the road trips declined.
Her closest friend has been Ms. Louise Jennings Tankerson of Bowie, Maryland. This friendship began at Dillard University and was tearfully renewed at their 50th year reunion in 2010. If you saw one on campus, you could be certain the other was not too far away. Gloria believed that at a PWI you had a friend in school. However, at a HBCU you had a friend for a lifetime. She passed that lesson to Alison who attended Florida A&M University, where she earned her B.S. and M.B.A.
Gloria leaves behind to cherish her memory: Husband of 58 years, Henry; daughter Alison Kathleen Jemmott (Zachary); Brother, Willie White Jr.(Barbara); Brother in Law, Charles McKee (Sylvia); Sister in Law, Delores Haynes (Harry); Nephews, Michael Blunt (Wendy), Mark McKee (Melissa), Demetri Haynes (Kyla), Allen Haynes and Isaac White; Niece, Vanessa McKee, Grand Nieces: Michelle and Jeane’ Blunt, Bria Coleman; Grand Nephews, Michael and Daniel McKee; a host of neighbors, friends, alumni members and church members.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to Dillard University as follows:
Dillard University, Office of Development/Project S.A.F.E. Fund, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA. 70122. Online contributions can be made at https://www.dillard.edu/_administration/_institutional-advancement/development-office/donate-now.php Click on Tribute Gift, in honor/memory of Gloria McKee.
Acknowledgement and Appreciation
Our sincere appreciation to our neighbors, church members at Peoples Community Church, Plymouth United Church, New Hope Missionary Baptist, colleagues, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Nu Omega), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (especially Michigan sorors and The Original Beta Alpha), FAMU Alumni, the other members of The Divine 9 and friends for their support and expressions of kindness for our wife and mother. Special thanks to Beaumont Hospital, the Home Care Staff and Detroit EMS.
Gloria was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to Willie White Sr. and Elmer B. White as the middle child of three. Her siblings include two brothers, Ivory Blunt(deceased) and Willie White, Jr. of New Orleans.
In 1956, Gloria graduated from Walter L. Cohen Senior High in New Orleans. She continued her education at Dillard University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Speech and Drama in June 1960. While at Dillard University, she met fellow Bleu Devil, Henry McKee, Jr. After graduation, they were married December 24, 1961, while Henry was home on leave from his new career in the U.S. Army.
Gloria began her teaching career in the English Department at McDonogh 35 Senior High in New Orleans. That assignment lasted six years, until 1966 when she and Henry moved to Detroit, Michigan. She continued her career with the Detroit Public Schools at Durfee Junior High, Cass Technical High and Redford High.
A few years after moving to Detroit a daughter was born, Alison Kathleen. Motherhood did not stop Gloria from pursuing a second degree. The two traveled from Detroit to Ann Arbor until Gloria completed her Master of Education in Instructional Technology from the University of Michigan.
A summer highlight for mother and daughter was to return to New Orleans. During that time, she, Alison and her nieces Vanessa McKee and Tracey Marshall (deceased) would have a mini girls’ trip of shopping and lunch, thus passing the shopping gene along. They also ventured to Florida A&M Homecoming, Broadway shows in New York and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. conventions.
Following her retirement, she joined some neighbors and formed the Littlefield Avenue Ladies of Leisure. Many of them were from the same block, as well as former teachers in the Detroit Public Schools. They would meet periodically for lunch and fun, especially when the other teachers were returning for the new school year.
Gloria was an avid sports fan and loyal supporter of the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions. Henry loved to brag on her ability analyze plays, especially the Tampa 2 Defense. She also enjoyed NCAA Basketball and the Final Four. Recently, she had become a fan and follower of Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton. She and Henry enjoyed road trips to HBCU football games, primarily the 100 Black Men Classic in Atlanta and the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis.
Together they enjoyed the theatre, dining at Joe Muer’s plus travel covering large swaths of the US and Canada. The icing was spending the 2013 Christmas in Honolulu, on Waikiki Beach as an anniversary present. For health reasons, the road trips declined.
Her closest friend has been Ms. Louise Jennings Tankerson of Bowie, Maryland. This friendship began at Dillard University and was tearfully renewed at their 50th year reunion in 2010. If you saw one on campus, you could be certain the other was not too far away. Gloria believed that at a PWI you had a friend in school. However, at a HBCU you had a friend for a lifetime. She passed that lesson to Alison who attended Florida A&M University, where she earned her B.S. and M.B.A.
Gloria leaves behind to cherish her memory: Husband of 58 years, Henry; daughter Alison Kathleen Jemmott (Zachary); Brother, Willie White Jr.(Barbara); Brother in Law, Charles McKee (Sylvia); Sister in Law, Delores Haynes (Harry); Nephews, Michael Blunt (Wendy), Mark McKee (Melissa), Demetri Haynes (Kyla), Allen Haynes and Isaac White; Niece, Vanessa McKee, Grand Nieces: Michelle and Jeane’ Blunt, Bria Coleman; Grand Nephews, Michael and Daniel McKee; a host of neighbors, friends, alumni members and church members.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to Dillard University as follows:
Dillard University, Office of Development/Project S.A.F.E. Fund, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA. 70122. Online contributions can be made at https://www.dillard.edu/_administration/_institutional-advancement/development-office/donate-now.php Click on Tribute Gift, in honor/memory of Gloria McKee.
Acknowledgement and Appreciation
Our sincere appreciation to our neighbors, church members at Peoples Community Church, Plymouth United Church, New Hope Missionary Baptist, colleagues, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Nu Omega), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (especially Michigan sorors and The Original Beta Alpha), FAMU Alumni, the other members of The Divine 9 and friends for their support and expressions of kindness for our wife and mother. Special thanks to Beaumont Hospital, the Home Care Staff and Detroit EMS.