Laura Novelle Stone McGee

Laura Novelle Stone McGee, 74, of Salem, Va., passed from this life on Friday, February 15, 2008, after a short illness. Mrs. McGee was born in Sanford, N.C., on December 27, 1933. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie M. Stone and Lela B. Stone; and her former husband, Carl W. McGee Jr. Mrs. McGee is survived by her children, daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and Roger Dickenson, of Roanoke, Va.; and sons and daughters-in-law, David and Charlina McGee, of Alpharetta, Ga., Michael and Alexandra P. McGee, of Burbank, Calif., and Patrick and Gina McGee, of Callaway, Va.; and her grandchildren, Hunter Dickenson, Devon McGee, Kelsey McGee, Alexandra N. McGee, Mackayla McGee, Maddie McGee, Sam McGee and Brice McGee. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Alicia Stone, of Sanford, N.C.; brothers-in-law and their wives, Jim and Reva McGee, of Farmington, N.M., Bill and Eloise McGee, of Swannanoa, N.C.; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jane and Fred Wilkerson, of Box Elder, S.D. Mrs. McGee is also survived by her mother-in-law, Nora C. Binkley, of Swannanoa, N.C.; as well as many dear nieces, nephews and special cousins.
Mrs. McGee was a graduate of Warren Wilson College and Radford University in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. In her early career, she taught in the Roanoke County School System at Burlington and Bent Mountain Elementary Schools, as well as teaching special needs home-bound students for several years. In her later career, she was employed by Greenvale School, Northwest Child Development, and Young World Child Center from which she retired as Administrative Director in 2004. As a passionate educator, Mrs. McGee touched the lives of thousands of children in the Roanoke Valley.
Mrs. McGee enjoyed traveling and took many trips here and abroad with her children and grandchildren. As an avid gardener all her life, she spent much of her retirement gardening and landscaping her home. She was also civically active in her community, and she especially enjoyed working the polls for the Salem registrar during elections. At the time of her death, she had been appointed an Officer of Elections for her precinct.
The family will receive friends on Friday, February 22, 2008, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Oakey's South Chapel. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 23, 2008, at Oakey's South Chapel with Dr. Gary Chapman officiating. In keeping with her wishes, Mrs. McGee has requested that her ashes be spread upon a special place off the North Carolina coast.
In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to the General Education Fund of Warren Wilson College, P.O. Box 9000, Asheville, N.C. 28815. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel, 540-989-3131.