Dorothy Chapman “Dot” McGee
Dorothy Chapman “Dot” McGee, 81, of Lawley, Alabama passed away July 18, 2024 at Shelby Baptist Medical Center. She was born on January 25, 1943 in Chilton County, Alabama, the only daughter and youngest of four children born to the late J.C. Chapman and Buna Ratliff Chapman. She was a 1961 graduate of Maplesville High School, where she excelled academically and socially. She was a Red Devil Cheerleader. Somewhere about this time, she met a local boy who attended Bibb County High School named Dan McGee, and Dan “the Man” was just lucky enough to become the love of her life. They were married on August 31, 1962 at Rehobeth Baptist Church and would spend 46 wonderful years together.
The young couple eventually settled down in Hueytown, where Dan worked as a mechanic for Gulf Oil and Dorothy worked at Protective Life. Like many newlyweds, they depended on the encouragement and support of extended family living throughout the Bessemer area… other married brothers, sisters, and cousins who had left the farms in Lawley to find work and start a family in and around the Magic City. A few years after a couple of handsome and intelligent sons entered the picture, Dot and Dan were presented the opportunity to purchase a small country store and gas station back home in Lawley from Mr. Walker McCrary, thus becoming proprietors of Highway 82 Gas and Grocery. Dan built a mechanic shop and Dorothy sold groceries and gasoline. After several successful years in petroleum and dry goods, the enterprise was sold to one of Dan’s high school buddies, Winford O’Neal and his wife Betty Jane. After building a new home with Dan, Dorothy worked briefly for Fred Hallman Lumber Company in Centreville, but soon found employment as the Customer Service Manager at Gulf States Paper in Maplesville. After retiring from Gulf States, Dot and Dan built a home on her family land in Chilton County where they would continue to spoil their grandkids. It was around this time that Dot went to prison… as an Administrative Assistant to the Warden at the Bibb County Correctional Facility. She thoroughly enjoyed this job and her coworkers, but retired after seven years to lovingly and dutifully take care of Dan, who was declining in health and would pass away a short time later.
Dot and Dan were lifelong members of Rehobeth Baptist Church, where they raised their boys and took active roles within the church. If they were here today, they would tell you how instrumental Norvin and Louise Lovelady were in their spiritual guidance and mentorship in the church and community.
Dot is survived by her sons, Darold McGee (Neysa) of Centreville, and Duane McGee (Jill) of Centreville; her brother, Thomas Chapman of Bessemer; her grandchildren, Kristin (Joe) Lowery of Tuscaloosa; Kinsley (Joseph) Fowler of Tuscaloosa; Kade (Savannah) McGee of Opelika; Kate McGee of Birmingham; Harper McGee of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; Katie (Edward) Smith of Mountain Brook; and Jake (Emma) Covington of Baltimore, Maryland; and her great grandchildren Nate Lowery, Daniel Lowery, Priya Lowery, Jack Lowery, Camden Fowler, Cohen Fowler, Kipton McGee, Ward Smith, and Annie Smith.
Dot is also survived by brothers-in-law Joe Ed McGee, Bobby Martin, and David Reid; sisters-in-law Maurine Ratliff, Brenda Reid, Lynn Martin, Carol Brackin, Frances McGee, and Martha McGee; a host of nieces and nephews; and very special friends Nell Latham, Louise Lovelady, and Bubba and Tina Chapman.
Dot was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Thomas Daniel “Dan” McGee; her parents, J.C. and Buna Chapman; her brothers Horace Chapman and Charles Chapman; brothers-in-law Donald McGee, Odis McGee, Lonnie Fountain, Carlis Lee Smith, and Gerald Ratliff; and sisters-in-law Christine Fountain, Imogene Smith, Frances Chapman, and Ouida Chapman.
The Rehobeth Baptist Church family, along with colleagues and coworkers from Gulf States Paper and the Bibb County Correctional Facility, and the families of the late Buddy Riffe and the late Bill Hamm must be included in those whom Dot would also claim as family. She loved and was beloved by so many people throughout her wonderful life.
Although there were several cats and dogs over the years, two particular pets ascended to near childlike prominence: Sassy and Pete. True to her genus and species, Sassy was ornery, ill-tempered, grumpy, and contemptable to EVERYONE except Dot. Pete was so spoiled that he was often referred to by children and grandchildren as “Uncle Pete” due to a stature of importance that ranked somewhere equivalent to – if not above- actual sons Darold and Duane. But Dot loved Sassy and Pete, and they brought her much comfort and joy and companionship after Dan passed away. They truly earned mentions in Dot’s obituary.
Pallbearers are nephews Charles “Bubba” Chapman, Greg Chapman, Tommy Dale Chapman, Keith Chapman, Terry Chapman, and Joey McGee. Honorary Pallbearers are Wayne Hayes, Jim Hubbard, Winford O’Neal, Mark Riffe, and Kirk Smith.
We thank you for joining us in remembering Dorothy’s wonderful, beautiful, and full life. Your kindness and love towards our family during this difficult time has not gone unnoticed and we are eternally grateful to have so many in our community. Please consider making a contribution to Rehobeth Baptist Church, 11262 Deer Creek Road, Lawley, Alabama 36793. Condolences for the family may be left on the guest registry at www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com.
Friends will be received Sunday, July 21, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Rehobeth Baptist Church.
Funeral Services will be held Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Rehobeth Baptist Church with Rev. Johnny Mount officiating.
Interment will follow in Rehobeth Baptist Cemetery, Lawley, Alabama.
Martin Funeral Home directing.
You may leave online condolences for the family on the guest registry at www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com.
