Carole Jane McGee

Carole Jane McGee, an accomplished pianist and beloved sister and aunt, passed peacefully at her home in King, NC, on July 7, 2017, due to complications from an extended illness. ""Piano keys are black and white but they sound like a million colors in your mind"" (Mena)…. Carole was born on April 4, 1955, in Forsyth County to the late Rex ""Bill"" McGee Sr., and Betty Booze Hilton. She graduated from South Stokes High School in 1973 where she was known for her performances with the Madrigals. She attended Charleston Southern University, (formerly Baptist College of Charleston) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Performance (Vocal) and a Minor in Music. After graduation Carole worked for the exclusive Robert's of Charleston and accompanied Chef Robert with his operatic performances as he served his finest cuisines. From 1984 to 2006 she worked in customer service for Piedmont Airlines/US Airways. Carole's passion for music and the time she spent playing piano with The Clif Notes kept her grounded in her heart's true desire. She is best described as artistic, independent, funny, and sassy as well as a phenomenal musician, a wonderful person, and the pilot of a beautiful soul. She served as pianist for Green Street United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of King, where she was a member. Carole also served as choir director for Mizpah Moravian Church. Her musical endeavors brought her to perform with the Wake Forest Little Symphony, Stokes County Arts Council, and various other ensembles. For several years Carole traveled all over the country playing for the Piedmont/US Airways Jazz Orchestra. Carole had unique musical talents and dedicated her life to giving back to the arts. The influence she had on not only her piano and voice students but also on others fortunate enough to know her will be long remembered. Carole was preceded in death by her niece Amy Southern Ashley, her stepfather Walter ""Red"" Hilton and stepmother Roxie Irene McGee. She is survived by her sisters Mary Ann Southern, Kelly Craven (Jon) and Suzie Blakley; brothers Rex Smith McGee, Jr. (Jessie), Ralph Lionel McGee III (April) and Gary Long (Jenny); nephews Bill Southern (Beth), Jonathon Craven, Lionel McGee, Lucas McGee, Gus McGee, Harmon McGee; nieces, Emma Tucker (Matt), Laila McGee, Sylvia McGee, Millie McGee, Whitleigh McGee; and great nephews and nieces Cameron Denny, Evan Ashley, Flynn Southern, Kate Southern, Ada Tucker, Macy Tucker and Caroline Southern. The visitation for Carole will be Monday evening, July 10, 2017, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Hayworth Miller Funeral Home in Rural Hall. Services will be Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at 11:00 am at Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. Evelyn Lemons officiating. Burial will follow in King Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church Children's/Youth Ministries, 1024 Volunteer Rd., King, NC 27021. ""Pianos, unlike people, sing when you give them your every growl. They know how to dive into the pit of your stomach and harmonize with your roars when you've slit yourself open. And when they see you, guts shining, brain pulsing, heart right there exposed in a rhythm that beats need, need, need pianos do not run. And so she plays"" - (Francesca Lia Block)

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