Mildred T. McGehee

Mildred Dorene Trussell McGehee, passed from this life on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Beloved matriarch, she leaves a legacy of faith in Christ and sacrificial love of her family.
Services celebrating her life will be on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 2:30 PM at Grace Methodist Church in Ruston, LA. Visitation with the family will be held in the Christian Life Center at Grace beginning at 1:00 PM. Private burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston with grandsons as pall bearers, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes of Ruston, LA.
Born at home in the Antioch Community of Lincoln Parish on August 4, 1924, to Ermine Cargill and George Paxton Trussell, she was the youngest of four siblings. She attended the two-room school at Antioch Church for grades one through seven, earning valedictorian recognition for her seventh grade graduation. She continued her schooling at Ruston High School where she graduated in 1941, the first class to complete a full year at the new school building. While in high school, she was crowned Miss Lincoln Parish in 1939 by all the parish Home Demonstration Clubs. After high school graduation, she attended Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now Louisiana Tech University), where she graduated in January, 1945 with a BS degree in Home Economics Education and a minor in Early Childhood Education. She began her teaching career at the Federal Nursery Schools in Shreveport, then as a home economics and chemistry teacher in Hosston in Caddo Parish, followed by teaching kindergarten in Port Neches, TX. In the 1947-48 and 1948-49 school years, she was employed as a home economics teacher and sponsor of the girls' basketball team at the high school in Castor, LA.
She was introduced to Lucius D. McGehee in the summer of 1948, and their courtship quickly developed into a love story that would span over 60 years. They were married at Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston on June 25, 1949. They began their marriage in Downsville, LA, living in a rented one-room home where the first three of their children were born. In 1955, they moved to Ruston where three more children joined the family. She was completely devoted to her husband and supported him in all his endeavors. As a loving mother, she created a nurturing home for all her children. She was involved in many of their activities, serving as a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout den leader, choir mother, Sunday School teacher, and room mother at their schools. She was wonderful in the kitchen, preparing delicious family meals, birthday cakes, cobblers, pies, jellies and preserves. Her famous Cinnamon Bread and Chocolate Cupcakes with Hot Fudge Icing are among treasured family traditions. Active participation and presence in her church was a priority. She taught her children by example of following God's ways in every aspect of her life. She created a home filled with love, warmth, and hospitality. She was tireless in serving her family, always putting them before herself. She was nurturing, patient, and a gentle counselor.
As a young child, she became a follower of Christ and served Him faithfully. As an adolescent, she heard a missionary speak at the Antioch Church. She was so moved by his remarks that she became a dedicated advocate for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She and her husband were loyal supporters of many evangelical and missionary agencies. She was an active and faithful member of Grace Methodist Church in Ruston for over 70 years.
Her servant heart lead her to support many other endeavors to benefit the Lincoln Parish and Ruston community. In 1997, the couple were honored with the Russ Award by the Ruston/Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for outstanding community service. She was a member of the Littera Club of Ruston for over 70 years, serving in leadership positions. She was an avid flower gardener and enjoyed her membership in the Ruston Garden Club.
Mrs. McGehee appreciated the college education she received and created a scholarship and endowed professorship in the College of Education and Human Sciences, School of Human Ecology. She was honored with the Tower Medallion Award in 2012.
Her life was defined by her devotion to Christ and His teachings and her family. She enjoyed a good book, a cup of coffee, playing bridge, collecting stamps, feeding the backyard raccoons, and growing plants and flowers.
She is preceded by her husband; parents; and siblings, Adele T. Nugent, Evelyn T. Ferrand, and D.L. Trussell. She is survived by her six children, twenty grandchildren, and thirty-four great-grandchildren: Patricia M. Flournoy and husband Bob, Heather F. Bowling and husband Aaron and children Grant and wife Callan, Anna, and Drew, all of Ruston, Curt Flournoy and wife Karen, and children Jackson and Evelyn of New Orleans; Don M. McGehee and wife Carolyn of Ruston, Ben McGehee and wife Alisa and children Ella, Lily, and William of Magnolia, TX, Greg McGehee and wife Linzay of Wasilla, AK, Jeff McGehee and wife Janie and children Millie Marie, Maddie Lu, Jack, and Mollie Jean, of Ruston, Lauren M. Hannon and husband Patrick and children Emily, Carter, Caroline, and Haley Grace, of Benton, Robert McGehee and wife Julianna and children Paxton and Grant of Mer Rouge; Deborah M. Lynch and husband Wes of Ruston, Wesley Lynch and wife Lori and children Brynn and Nora of McKinney, TX, Johnathan Lynch of Nashville, TN, Stephen Lynch and wife Cassie and daughter Vivienne of Hendersonville, TN; David W. McGehee and wife Michele of Ruston, Daniel McGehee and wife Mary Anne and children Mary Lou and Leona of Carrollton, TX, Brittany M. Welch and husband Jon and children Joseph, Luke, and James of Baton Rouge, Natalie M. Meznar and husband Phillip and children Matthew, Mason, Jacob, and Lily Kate, of Knoxville, TN, and Andrew McGehee and wife Jillian of Murfreesboro, TN; Dell M. Jones and husband Tom of Ruston, Seth Jones and wife Erica and son Clark, of Nashville, TN, Caleb Jones and fiancé Abigail of Leesburg, VA, Aaron Jones and wife Rachel and daughter Emmy of Atlanta, GA, Sarah J. Birdi and husband Sandeep of Ruston, chosen family Heather Gunter and her daughters Haven and Jaycee Matthews, and Ainslea Gunter, of Bastrop; Lucius D. McGehee, Jr. and wife Leigh of Ruston, Mary Michael M. Woods and husband Jake and children Julia and J.D. of Shreveport, and Luc McGehee and wife Mackenzie and daughter Eleanor of Hallsville, TX. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends.
The family expresses their appreciation to the ladies of Tender Touch Service who provided compassionate care for Mrs. McGehee: Donna, Shayron, Renee, Saundra, Lameshia, Theresa, and Jackie.
Memorials for Mrs. McGehee may be made to: Grace Methodist Church, 3401 North Trenton St., Ruston, LA 71270, or Louisiana Tech University Foundation, Mildred T. McGehee Scholarship, PO Box 1190, Ruston, LA 71273, or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.