Debra-McGee-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Swartz Funeral Home - Flint

Debra J. McGee

Flint, Michigan

Oct 19, 1951 – Nov 2, 2020 (Age 69)

About

BORN
October 19, 1951
DIED
November 2, 2020
AGE
69
LOCATION
Flint, Michigan

Obituary

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Swartz Funeral Home - Flint Obituary

McGEE, DEBRA J. – Of Swartz Creek, formerly of New york, age 69, passed away Monday, November 2, 2020 at Hurley Medical Center.


Private service will be held with burial at Crestwood Cemetery, Reverend Angela Roth officiating.


In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Eastern Michigan Food Bank.


Debra was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, October 19,1951, the daughter of the late Ralph N. McGee, Sr. and Vernice Olivia Bland McGee.


Debra spent 30 years in Brooklyn, NY where she was a part of a vibrant musician community. She was a pioneer of women drumming in the West African music tradition and is regarded as a master drummer and singer within African cultural and spiritual communities. She was a very talented musician who wrote and performed music all over the world. In 1998, Debra was initiated as a priest of Obatala in the Yoruba faith. After relocating to the Flint area, Debra went on to pursue and complete a BSW and MSW from the University of Michigan in 2016 at the wise age of 65.


Debra married Sandy Cleomaude on July 20, 2017 in Swartz Creek, MI.


Debra was generous, kind, and warm-hearted and helped anyone in need. She had a helluva laugh and enjoyed writing, woodworking, and gardening with her beloved wife Sandy.


She loved her family, and they loved her deeply in return.


Surviving are her wife, Sandy Cleomaude;


Daughter, Merle A. McGee; bonus children Michael (Kathy) Wray, Nathan (Kristina) Wray and Heather Tyner;


Grandchildren, Cameron, Michael, Mia, Maezie, Sophia, Owen and Piper;


great-grandson, Jace;


siblings, Joyce Parker, Donald (Andriea) McGee, Cynthia McGee, Karen McGee Credle and Lisa McGee Chambers


Aunts, Eleanor Banks and Loretta McGee Phillips and a host of nieces, nephews, chosen family and friends.


She was predeceased by her mother, Vernice; father, Ralph; step-mother, Leah K. McGee and brother, Ralph N. McGee, Jr.

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My deepest condolences to Ms. McGee's family. Although we worked together for only one year, it was great to see her love and concern for the student's that she was serving. Personally, I will not forget Ms. McGee playing her drums for the choir as they sang a piece. She also asked to sing a song at the concert and she shared her talents that way also. At 69 years of age she was still willing to learn and push herself to create beauty in the world.

Debra shared an office next to mine 2019-2020 at Flint Junior High. She was so very pleasant and insightful. I truly enjoyed working with her. It was obvious how she cared for the students, and what a special talent she had with them. I am so sorry to hear this awful news. I am sure she spread her good will far beyond our doors.

I will miss Ms.McGee! We worked together for several years at Holmes STEM Academy. She usually was one of the first people I would see daily. She always helped boost my day into a positive direction. She was always kind and filled with a lot of wisdom and homespun wit. In fact one of the reasons I looked forward to returning to this school was to see and communicate with her once again. May God bless all the loving memories she leaves. Blessings and comfort to the surviving family.

Debra was always helpful and this is very sad news. She will be greatly missed by all who she touched and my deepest condolences to the family.

It was a pleasure to work with her, and to experience the joy she got from beating on her drums for the students!! The world lost a GREAT ONE!!!

My Dear Friend you are now resting no more pain you’re gone now but never forgotten! May God be with you all !! Ms.Calvert - Co-Worker Nortwestern High

Debra was a great social worker and well respected alum of the University of Michigan SSW. All of us who knew her at the University of Michigan have a deep respect for intellect and talents. She will be sorely missed.

I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the McGee family and to Ile Omo Olofi and all those fortunate people who's lives were blessed by this amazing woman, for your loss. May Debra's wonderful character be remembered always. Sandy, although we never met, I know you must be a wonderful woman to have found your equal in my Godsister and I pray for comfort for you during this difficult time. I pray for blessings and healing for all of us. Asé

Thank you for generosity, music and kindness.