Obituary of Merle McGehee

MERLE ROGERS MCGEHEE Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Friend and well known Interior Designer, Merle Rogers McGehee died peacefully and gracefully Monday, March 26, 2012, at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte NC. Merle was born October 23, 1925, in Hattiesburg, MS, the eldest daughter of Henry Holcomb ?Pete? and Nettie Hudson Rogers. Due to the sudden early death of her mother, Merle became the guiding force in the lives of her siblings, Gerry, Peter and Linda, raising her younger sister, Linda as her daughter, when at age 4 ½, she became an intricate part of Merle?s family. Young brother, Peter, only eleven, and sister Gerry, a high school senior, at the time of their mother?s death, have looked upon Merle as their mother/sister throughout their lives, counting on her loving support in all ways. Merle lived and worked in Jackson, MS, for many years before moving her business, Merle McGehee Interiors, to New York City. In 1985, she moved to Charlotte, NC, to be near her daughter, Donna Dickson Harding and granddaughter, Sabrina Botkis Saunders. Merle?s career began in the 1950s as a natural expression of her artistic creativity and a need to support her two young girls, Donna and Linda. Her career began by specializing in color design which she studied at The Art Institute of Chicago. In the early years of television, Merle had her own show, Color Rhapsody. In the sixties she owned and operated, House of Merle, which sold a complete line of fine furniture. Her design firm included both residential and commercial work in Mississippi and throughout the nation. She had a unique gift for creating interiors that fit, reflected, and complimented the personality of her clients. She especially enjoyed working on churches. One of Merle's many clients, the former Rev. Joe Tuten, of Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, often spoke of her "perception, sensitivity, beauty, reverence, warmth--all of these deep inner feelings which you have put into God?s house that we call church.? Favored with finesse, Merle was an extraordinarily elegant woman with impeccable taste. She raised her family to be aware of beauty and taught them important life lessons: live fully, be an individual, find and use your talents wisely and treat others the way you wish to be treated. Merle was strong willed, wise and beloved by family and friends. Her zest for living made life more interesting for those around her. She was an avid reader, a trait she passed on to her daughters. As she aged, she took up painting as a hobby. Donna and Sabrina had the paintings made into note cards each Christmas and boxed them for Christmas gifts to the delight of the many friends who received them. Survivors include daughter, Donna Dickson Harding; granddaughter, Sabrina Botkis Saunders; great-grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Saunders, all of Charlotte, NC; daughter Linda Rogers McGehee of Florence, MS, and her sons and daughters-in-law: Scott and Teri McGehee of Madison, MS; Michael and Joo McGehee of South Pasadena, CA; and Clay and Stephanie McGehee of Florence, MS; and Linda's grandchildren: William, Melissa and Davis McGehee; brother, Peter Rogers of New Orleans, LA; sister, Gerry Rogers Lee of Brandon, MS; as well as two nephews, Thomas Lee of Collierville, TN, and Richard Lee of Alamogordo, NM, and their families. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 4:00 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, East Blvd, Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorials may be directed to Crisis Assistance Ministries, 500 Spratt Street #A, Charlotte, NC 28206