Queen Mcbee

Queen Esther McBee, affectionately known as “Queenie” to friends and family, was born to the late Guy and Ella Bennett on September 5, 1925 in Enterprise, Alabama. She was educated in the Dothan Alabama School System and graduated from the “Dothan Colored High School” in 1942 and awarded on May 23, 1946. Later moved to Youngstown, Ohio to further her education and seek new job opportunities. Initially Queen was denied admission to many professional programs because of the social climate of prejudice and racism of the day. However, she was determined to not be denied access to a career goal of nursing. After moving to Youngstown she pursued education in nursing and later became employed at Maumee Valley Hospital, Riverside Hospital and later at Toledo Hospital where she served as LPN for more than 30 years. Queen received numerous awards, commendations from her employer and personal acknowledgments from patients for her excellent care. While at Toledo Hospital she played on one of the volleyball teams known as “The Jolly Vollies” and was a part of the Diplomat Club. After retirement Queen began working with children at the St. Philips Daycare as a child-monitor; The Loving Tree Daycare and later years she served on the “Granny Program” at Pickett Elementary School where she was loved by all. She loved being around children and working with children. Queen was united in marriage to Hamilton Clifford McBee on July 25, 1953, to this union was born 4 sons Tyrone, Charles, Mark and Cleveland. Queen enjoyed baking, and making those famous fried pies, fried corn and peach cobbler. She loved working with children and helping everyone. Most of all she enjoyed working with the different church ministries. She enjoyed reading the paper on Sunday evenings, shopping for hats and she had a special love for her dogs Roxy and Jim. Queen stressed for her children to get an education, as she always said “once you get it no one can ever take it away”. To support her many speeches on education she sacrificed during a time when there was not any money to spare, to purchase the “World Book Encyclopedia” for her children. And with the purchase of that set she proclaimed that there was no excuse for failure or to be uneducated. She continued to remain on the World Book Encyclopedia yearbook renewal since 1960. Queen was an avid believer of letting nothing hold you back. More determined than ever as an adult with children she learned to drive and purchased her own car. She supported her children and grandchildren throughout their various school activities; she also participated in the London Square Neighborhood Block Watch, Senior Center activities. Queen excepted Christ at an early age and after moving to Toledo united with the Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. J.L. Dotson until the family moved and then she united with the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Smith where she remained a faithful member for 45 years. She was a member of the Matthew Circle Ministry where she served as corresponding secretary; worked with the Kitchen Committee and served on the Clothing Outreach for the needy. She worked with summer Vacation Bible School for many years and was a Mother of the church. Queen was always willing to help where needed with a smile and a joke. Queen enjoyed and loved serving under her present pastor Rev. James Willis, Sr. On June 8, 2009 she left this earthly body to be eternally present with the Lord. Queen was preceded in death by parents: Guy and Ella Warren Bennett; husband Hamilton C. McBee; brothers: Cleveland “Doc” Bennett and Charles “Ted” Bennett and sisters: Mable Bennett and Eloise Jones. Queen leaves to cherish her memories 4 sons; Tyrone C. McBee of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; Charles H. McBee (Teresa) , Mark C. McBee and Cleveland T. McBee all of Toledo, Ohio, 4 grandchildren; Charles H. McBee, II of Bronx, N.Y.; Erica L. McBee of Warrensville Heights, OH; Stephanie C. McBee of Miami, FL. and Katelynn M. McBee, of Toledo/Brownstown, MI., brother Joseph Bennett (Georgia) of Ocala, FL., sister Camelia Price of Chicago, IL., sister-in-law Marita Bennett of Chicago, IL. , special cousins Beatrice Easley of Toledo, OH. Viola Warren and Teresa Warren of Detroit, MI. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted sons, daughters and friends. Visitation will be Friday, 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Dale Riggs Funeral Home, with wake service Saturday 10:00 am. followed by Funeral Services at 11:00 am St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1502 N. Detroit Ave., Rev. James H. Willis, Sr., officiant. Intermit Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to Melissa Mason and all her caregivers and friends. www.dalefh.com