Rev. Herman McGee

As GOD would have it, and as my “BabyDoll”, Rev. Herman McGee gave it to me to write, he was the firstborn of 9, born on May 17, 1943 to the late Denon Pepper and the late Julia (Gussie) Porter in the county of Lawrence, the city of Monticello, Mississippi. He attended the Lawrence County Schools. He joined Friendship Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. L. L. Love. He often talked about his coming to the LORD, professing his salvation as wanting to be saved, and he would go down by the “sycamore tree at the age of 9 years to pray for seven days while the devil was telling him that he was no good and GOD didn’t want him; but his persistence in prayer paid off on the 7th day (a Sunday morning), he said, “the LORD saved me!” He moved to Detroit, Michigan and united with Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church on November 1, 1972. He always said that the LORD had called him to preach at the age of 9 but he ran for 30 years and finally accepted GOD’s call at the age of 39 preaching his first sermon and receiving his Certificate of License on April 17, 1983 and received his Certificate of Ordination on May 7, 1989, all under the leadership of the late Pastor James E Robinson Sr. Down through the years as a member of Sweet Kingdom he served: as a president of the Pastor’s Chorus for many years; he was on trial for the office of a deacon; but never received that title because he accepted GOD’s calling to preach HIS Word. He was active with all ministries: Soup Kitchen, Mission worker, Ushers, Deacons, Nurses, Security, Music Ministry, whatever and wherever the need was, he was there to support all. He was an active member of, serving as Manager, to Joe Agee and God’s Good Old Boys. He was an active member of The Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity and served on the benevolent staff. He was active in the Calvary District holding the office of financial secretary/treasurer, and overseer for the Voices of Calvary. He was an avid bowler in two leagues at one time: The Sophisticated Seniors and 2nd Canaan/ 2nd Baptist bowling leagues for several years. He was an active member of the John Eberhart Community Chorus since January of 1996, holding the offices of Chaplain, Assistant Business Manager and as acting president. He said he watched me as we sang here in Sweet Kingdom one Sunday and wondered if she lives what she is singing about. On the 4th Sunday of June 1996 (5 months later) he met with the lovely  Wilma L Hunter, handing me a card, saying “Bro. Eberhart wants us to lead a song together. I have to get back to my church so ask him about it for me and then give me a call later…here’s my card.” Hmmmm a “smooth operator”, and the rest is our-story. This was on June 23, 1996, the day before my birthday and our first date for my birthday, June 24, 1996. We went to the Summit Restaurant on top of the Ren-Cen at that time. I told him then “don’t start something you can’t keep up”. We married September 14, 1999 and he held to “the don’t start something you can’t keep up 17 years, 1 month, 4 weeks, 1 day, 11 hours and 15 minutes until his final breath as I clung to his right hand with my left. As we married 6+2+1 children were joined: Angela (Keith) Moore of Chicago, Illinois, Darryl McGee (preceded him in death), Travis Bester (Yvette), Detroit, Charise Coats (Redford), Kyle Forester, Detroit, Damion Hunter (Lisa) Detroit. + 2- Marion Akins, and Sandra Akins, +1 Deshanti Baker all of Detroit. Together we have 13 grandchildren: Kyle Burnett (Shaina), Jervalro, Kourtney, Ishamia, Tailor, Taeja, Devin, Jermiah, DeAngelo, Damion, Jr., Mylisha, Stephan, Tikia and 6 great-grands Shain, Jeremiah, Jr., Lissee’air, Ta’Myla, Riley, and Aiyanna. He is also survived by 8 sisters: Sara Smith (Charles), Chicago, Illinois. Gaynelle (Philemon) McDuffey, New Hebron, Mississippi, Paulretta Jefferson, Chicago, Illinois, Linda Barnett, Byram, Mississippi, Maggie Mingo, of Roseville, MI and Queen Esther Coleman (David) of Detroit, MI, Delores Smith, Monticello, Mississippi, and Eunice Simpson (Eugene) of Chicago, Illinois. He is also survived by 2 uncles Elmer Lee Lewis (Mary Ann) of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Lincton Porter (Dorothy) of Clinton, Mississippi, Nancy (Aunt Doll) Lewis of Natchez, Mississippi, and Varry (Aunt Vera) Bryant, Detroit, MI. A very Special “Mom”, Sis. Pearlie Nalls who has always referred to him as “my boy” here at Sweet Kingdom and a host other relatives and friends.

Herman's family will receive guests for a family hour from 3pm-6pm on Friday, November 18, 2016 at Harry J. Will Funeral Home 25450 Plymouth Road, (Just east of Beech Daly) Redford Township, Michigan 48239.

Family Hour begins at 9:00am on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church 4150 Chene Street, Detroit, Michigan 48207. The celebration of his home going will begin at 10:00am.

Herman will be laid to rest at Roseland Park Cemetery 29001 Woodward Avenue, Berkley, Michigan 48072 following the service.

Memorial donations may be made in Herman's honor to:

Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church

4150 Chene Street

Detroit, Michigan 48207