NAOMI “FAYE” MCKEE

CARTHAGE- Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian for Naomi “Faye” McKee, 71, who died peacefully at her home in Carthage on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, after her second battle with cancer.

Arrangements are under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home, Lamar.

She always said that she wanted her flowers before she died so she could enjoy them; therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Rainbow Network, in her memory.

The obituary may be viewed and condolences sent online at www.dfhlamar.com.

Survivors include her husband, Roger; two daughters, D’Lisa and Katie; grandson, Callen Robert; brothers, Eddie and wife Carolyn and Tony; stepmother, Wilma Hartsell; brothers-in-law, Duane and wife Betty and Jerry; sisters-in-law, Zelda and husband Wesley and Linda, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Rita Hartsell; a brother-in-law, Charles Cole; a sister-in-law, Sherryl McKee and nephews, Kelly McKee, Kevin Coleman and Corwin Coleman.

Mrs. McKee was born March 22, 1950, at a neighbor’s house, en route to the hospital in Adrian. Her parents, Walter and Beulah Hartsell named her Naomi Faye, but from an early age she was always called Faye or - by her brothers - Sis. As a girl she helped out on her family's farm and in 1968 she graduated from Adrian High School. In 1970 she married Roger McKee and they started their life together in Butler.

She worked for the Missouri Department of Social Services in the Family Support Division, starting in 1969 and retiring in 2006. As a Methodist minister's wife she lived in Lockwood, Wheaton and Archie, before retiring in Carthage.

She was known among her family and friends as a compassionate and loving person who was always taking care of others and she leaves a legacy of the many lives she touched through her generosity and kindness. One of her best loved acts of care was the countless cinnamon rolls and loaves of bread that she regularly baked and gave away to family, friends and neighbors. She participated in a number of New York Says Thank You mission trips across the Midwest and was part of the group who helped repair the tattered US flag now on display in the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. She was a regular blood donor who donated until she was no longer able to and was also a regular financial contributor to St. Jude's Children's Hospital and Rainbow Network.

Mrs. McKee was active in her church community and had a passion for service that included many years as an active member of the United Methodist Women. She was involved in local units wherever she and her husband served, in the Lakes, Heartland South and Southwest districts. She held many offices in these districts, including serving as district president of the Southwest district. Her service included many trips to participation in the School of Christian Missions, Legislative Event, Missouri Conference Meetings, as well as the UMW National Assembly. In addition to the UMW, she also loved teaching youth Sunday School classes and quilting with various church quilting groups.