Ella Mae Gee was born on March 28, 1945 in Tatum, South Carolina to the late Prentis and Willie Bell Thomas. She departed this life on February 15, 2023, an unseasonably warm, bright and sunny winter day. Ella attended the public schools in Laurinburg, North Carolina after relocating there with her parents and siblings. After graduating from I. Ellis Johnson High School, she went to work at Abbotts Laboratories. She later met and married Nathaniel McNair. From that union came three children, Sherrell, Nathaniel Jr. and Kenneth. Ella was well-known and loved by many. She was affectionately known by several names; to her siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends,

she was known as Carolyn, to her children, she was known as Ma, to her grandchildren, she was known as Granny, to her great-grandchildren, she was known as GeeGee, and to her church family, she was known as Sister Gee. No matter what anyone called her, she responded with a smile or maybe a playful “what?!”.

“Carolyn” was the eldest of eight children, four men and four women. She had a bond with each of her siblings. Just as Ella would have girl time with her three sisters, she could hold her own in conversations with her four truck- driving brothers. The many special gatherings and special memories shared with her siblings from childhood to their golden ages are endless and will be cherished forever.

“Ma” was a strong mother. After the dissolution of the marriage to her children’s’ father, she and her children moved to Baltimore, Maryland. She raised her then-teenagers as a single mother and ensured they understood the values of hard work, cleanliness and family. Ella supported her children in all things and never gave up on any of them. Ella’s relocation to Baltimore also led to a marital union with Edgar “Otis” Gee.

“Granny” had a very special bond with her grandchildren. She ensured their childhood was filled creating special memories including family trips to amusement parks and family reunions as well as trips to parks and beaches and those special weekend visits where she’d take her grandchildren to Blockbuster Videos and let each grandchild select a movie and they’d stay up late watching them all. Ella assisted in raising her granddaughters Daisha, Tracy and Dana. Her role in their lives led to educational success and baptism into Christ. Ella had a special bond with her grandson Nathaniel McNair III (Little Bobby). She ensured he was present for the summer trips and weekend visits. Little Bobby kept Granny up on the latest slang and fashion of the younger generation.

“GeeGee” loved her great-grandchildren. She would spoil them rotten every chance she’d get. Whether it was additional screen time, staying up past bedtime or purchasing items, GeeGee could not and would not say “no” to her great-grands.

“Sister Gee” was a “hard fighting soldier”. She was introduced to the church of Christ and evangelized by husband and wife, Bro. Elmer Sembly Jr and Sis. Jean Sembly. She was baptized under the leadership of Bro. Sembly Jr. at Deer Park Church of Christ in Randallstown, MD. Sister Gee maintained her dedication as a Christian, traveling with her grandchildren from east Baltimore County to west Baltimore County every Wednesday and Sunday for Bible class and Sunday worship. Sister Gee took on roles as the children Sunday School teacher, facilitator of the Ladies Classes, and performed the upkeep of the building. Sister Gee had a special bond with Bro. Elmer V. Sembly III (Doey) and his wife Sis. Lynn Sembly and her spirit lives within

the Woodlawn Park Church of Christ. If you look around the church, the floral arrangements and many decorative items are the work of Sister Gee. Sister Gee would talk about Christ with anyone. She would talk to herself about Him as she cooked, drove or cleaned. Sister Gee was not only proud of the biological lineage of her family but the Christian lineage of her family.

Ella was a diligent worker. Ella maintained stable employment since her teenage years. Despite retiring, she began employment with Baltimore County Public Schools where she worked up until her death. In addition to her strong work ethic, Ella was an entrepreneur for many decades. Her most recent and most enjoyable entrepreneurial effort was being a Paparazzi jewelry consultant. Ella would host jewelry parties and make sales at

work, through church or in the community. She was her own model, often wearing matching jewelry pieces wherever she went and demonstrating how well the pieces could be dressed up or down to match any attire. Ella would “go live” on her Facebook page to talk about her love for the jewelry and presenting pieces for sale. To date, you can find Ella’s live videos and posts on her Facebook and Instagram pages. In addition to her entrepreneurial spirit, Ella had a thing for fashion, cooking, taking care of plants and decorating. She’d put outfits together that would match from head to toe with the same shade of color. Throughout her life, she went through many hairstyle changes. She was known to turn heads and wear her hairstyles with pride. Ella’s cooking was unmatched. She’d make meal spreads for holidays, Sunday dinners and special occasions. Ella gave the best advice and had

an answer to just about any question. Her signature laugh and hours-long phone conversations are sorely missed already.

Ella leaves to cherish her memory: her loving children Sherrell McNair, Nathaniel McNair Jr. and Kenneth McNair; her devoted grandchildren, Daisha McNair-Stokeling (Tarrell Sr), Tracy McNair-Walker (Dontae), Dana McNair (Eduardo), Nathaniel McNair III, Antonio “Chris” Butler, Natasha Sutton, Tierra Toomer and Kia Butler; her beautiful 15 great- children; her loving siblings, John Thomas (Patricia), Charles Thomas (Claudette), Shelia Thomas, Linda Holliday (Terry), Ernest Thomas (Leona), Betty Thomas and James Thomas (Brenda); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, coworkers, and church family.

Heavenly Home

Our Granny has gone with the angels above,

where there’s nothing but happiness, joy and love.

Gone from this world, so full of strife, back to the One who gave her life. But rejoice that God chose Granny for His own,

And has taken her back to His Heavenly home.

Lovingly Submitted By Your

Grandchildren

You Can Only Have One Mother

You can only have one mother, patient kind and true, No other friend in all the world, will be the same to you, When other friends forsake you, to mother you will return, For all her loving kindness, she asks nothing in return, As we look upon her picture, sweet memories we recall, Or a face so full of sunshine, and a smile for one and all. Sweet Jesus, take this message, to our dear mother up above, Tell her how we miss her, and give her all our love.

Love your children Sherrell, Nathaniel & Kenneth

To Our Sister...

We’re blessed to call you sister, We also call you friend; You’ve loved us unconditionally, And stood through thick and thin. There’s something God has given us, That’s more than family;

He’s placed a love for you, our Sister, That burns eternally.

Lovingly submitted by your brothers & sisters

We Love You GeeGee! Your great-grandchildren