of Elaine, AR
March 13, 1943 - July 15, 2024
Weida used to say that her name kept changing over her life. First she was ''One of the Laird kids'' then she became ''Mike's wife'' followed by ''Captain McGee's wife'' or she was ''Michael and Carson's mom'' before becoming known as ''Dylan and Bryce's granny'', plus she spent years being ''Mrs. Weida at the church''.
Weida seems to have been born for exactly the life she lived, a wife and a mother, a grandmother, the secretary at her much loved church. Long before the internet and Pinterest she spent time making crafts for her boys to give as Christmas gifts at school - reindeer made of clothes pins and baby bottle nipples, snowmen and ornaments made out of light bulbs. She would spot a craft and buy one to recreate it asking us, ''How many do you need for your class?''
In addition to being the loving head of our family, she enjoyed making cheese balls and corn casseroles for church dinners, watching NASCAR and game shows and playing solitaire on her tablet. She loved the evolution of wi-fi with a tablet with the ability to stay in touch with friends and family, while she insisted on keeping a flip phone to just call people. She was a very good seamstress and sewer and gifted many cross stitch items.
Her professional life started over when she first started working as a waitress in the dining room at the Holiday Inn, eventually becoming the restaurant manager. When asked by the retiring secretary at St Mary's if she would like to work there, Weida said she had not been a secretary before. Weida began a 28 year career at St Mary's helping the priests adjust to life in Helena, helping the church organizations with their missions and helping guide so many parishioners through their lives in Sunday School, Confirmation and First Communion, weddings and funerals.
Weida and Mike spent the 70's and 80's making their church home and raising their family at First Baptist Church on Franklin Street, where their children were baptized and were regularly involved in activities. In the 90's, Weida and Mike were drawn to the Catholic life she supported and made their Profession of Faith in October of 1998 with Father Ed Graves. Family story says that Weida told Father that Mike would not take part in communion because he would never drink after people from the goblet. Father promised them they could go first that day and it was the last time Mike ever drank from the wine. Weida took many opportunities to bring her
grandsons to St. Mary's. Much of it might have started with, ''Do you want to spend the night at Granny's and go to church?'' What kid doesn't want to spend the night with the grandparents.
Although Weida and Mike supported raising their sons in the Helena public schools, later they were always in the crowd at DeSoto sports events - if Dylan or Bryce played the sport then Weida and Mike could be found in the stands. Mom's friend, Ruby Ross, told
her when Dylan was born, ''Spoil the grandkids. They will not always want to come to Granny's so spoil them.''. She always had a little pocket money for them, she always had a trip to McDonald's for them and she spent over 18 years joyfully taking them to school in the morning and taking a 3pm break at work to pick them up.
Weida and Mike moved to Helena in the early years of their marriage when Mike's uncle, known to many as Mac or Bub, called him and said he could help Mike get a job as the midnight dispatcher with the Helena Police Department. They settled on Spruce Street
where Weida found a supporting family of ladies. These families and these ladies came together to make a safe and loving neighborhood for all the kids of Spruce Street.
Preceded in death by husband, Lonnie Michael McGee; parents, Luther & Nevis Laird; nephew, Wynne James Beeson; brother in law, James Ray Beeson and sister in law, Linda Laird.
She is survived by Michael McGee & Eddie Plunk, Carson & Rhonda McGee, Bryce McGee, Dylan & Breanna McGee, Brandy McGee and siblings, Betty & Jack Terrell, Barbara Beeson and Luther Laird Jr.
Weida was born in rural Mississippi and part of her heart stayed in Brookhaven and Boque Chitto, but her home was Helena. It is appropriate that after 28 years at her beloved St Mary's that we return to St Mary's for her memorial service.
We are appreciative to Crestpark Marianna Nursing Home for their unwavering commitment to Mom's comfort and care. Every single employee has shown Mom kindness and maintained her comfort and dignity. We are appreciative to Annie Troup and Sandra Tye, who helped Mom stay at home a little longer during the beginning of illness.
Pallbearers will be Dylan McGee, Bryce McGee, Neal Byrd, Brian Stoner, Frank Clancey and Hershell Schwantz.
Honorary Pallbearer will be Price Broughton.
Services will be directed by the staff of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870)-572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Building Fund at St. Mary's.
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17 Condolence(s)
Mike Ross
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Sorry to hear the loss of a sweet lady. She was a part of the Spruce St life and a great friend of my mother. God bless her.
Patty Smith
Friday, July 19, 2024
Weiss will be missed. She was always so helpful to local historians in locating graves in the Catholic Cemetery, even volunteering to go to the cemetery to point out old burial sites.
Pamela I Saia
Friday, July 19, 2024
So sorry for your loss. Ms. Weida was a very sweet lady. She was always so kind to me. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen McGee
Thursday, July 18, 2024
I loved her so much. She will be missed. RIP
Tommy McGee Sr
Thursday, July 18, 2024
It’s been awhile since we spoke but I always enjoyed our conversations. You made my brother a very happy man you two together created a wonderful life, family and a continued legacy . Those grandkids will go on to have their own families and remember all that you have taught them. Love you My Sister please say hello to all of our family.
Sissy Crowe
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Well it’s been a long time since I’ve seen any of you so looks like it’s going to be a little longer till I see you again Weida.Love you all say hi to my folks…
Father Ed Graves
Thursday, July 18, 2024
My heart goes out to the children and family of Weida McGee. A better woman has never walked this earth and she will always have an honored place in my thoughts, prayers, and masses. She was a daily joy to work with for eight years and an always cheerful disposition. Heaven has one more seat filled. Her spirit lives with us still, and always will.
Crystal and Don Eastman
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
It is with much sadness that we send our condolences to the family of Ms. Weida. She was a huge part of St. Mary's and will be greatly missed.
Philly Rains
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
I'm so sorry to hear of Ms. Weida's passing. She was a sweetheart, and will be sorely missed. God bring peace and comfort to her family. Amen.
Alex McGee
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Heaven has a new Angel today, May you have a peaceful and rewarding experience doing God's work as you have done on Earth All your life, I know you are rejoicing being in heaven with the Lord and Mike, God bless, love ya
Jennifer Reynolds
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Michael, Carson & family
I don't know that I have the words to explain how sorry I am for the loss of your precious mother. A lifetime of wonderful memories came flooding back to me when I got the news that Ms. Weida had passed. You are all in my thoughts & prayers. Ms. Weida lived a good life, and she profoundly touched the lives of many others (especially mine), I will be forever grateful for her friendship & nurturing throughout my life.
Michael Crews
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Micheal , Carson and family . So sorry for your loss . Our thoughts and prayers for all of you. So many great memories on Spruce Street.
Norman Yarbrough
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Prayers to your family during this time.
Joe and Stephanie Murphy
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Such a great loss for St Mary’s, she kept us all focused on the many fund raisers and annual Bazaar,she lead us with a big and loving heart. she will be missed, prayers for the family
Kevin and Sissy Smith
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Ms Weida we sure will miss you, and already do. Thank you for all you did for so many for so long. I hope you felt appreciated, because you were, and still are. Our sympathies to the entire family. RIP Kevin and Sissy
Missy Ishmael
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Michael, Carson and family,
I am just so sorry over the loss of your sweet Momma. I can’t ever remember not knowing Miss Weida. Lots of precious memories growing up on Spruce st. then being neighbors with Mom and Dad on Summit. She was one of a kind and a wonderful friend to Momma , Daddy and the Reynolds kids.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa & Richard Gregory
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
She was a great lady and will be greatly missed. We love you guys and you will be in our thoughts and prayers through this.