Charles Magee, 80

Mr. Charles Magee passed away at his residence on September 15, 2025.

Mr. Magee professed Christ at an early age at Friendship Missionary Baptist church and remained a member there until his transition. He was active on the Trustee Board and served as a community resource for all members. He was educated in the Covington County Public Schools System and was a proud alumnus of Carver Central High School Class of 1962. He enlisted in the United States Army after graduation and toured the world as a Communication and Electronics Engineer. He cherished his life moments. He settled in Philadelphia, PA, after his tenure in the Army. He was employed with General Electric Corporation for many years. There, he met his lifelong friend, Van Williams. He attended Temple University, where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Education. After returning to Mississippi, he earned his Master of Science degree in Education with an emphasis in Technology from the University of Southern Mississippi.

His platform was education and justice. He served as an Industrial Arts Teacher and later a Technology Educator for the Pascagoula School District, Perry County School District, and Hattiesburg Public School District, where he retired in 2003. He became the President of the NAACP, a position he held for over a decade. He was instrumental in bringing the United States Justice Department to Covington County to address educational racism and testified in federal court regarding the matter. He was equally passionate in the Hattiesburg Public School District, where he advocated on behalf of students and teachers via the Mississippi Association of Educators and the National Education Association. He believed in being multi-faceted; in addition to educational and civil endeavors, he was a farmer and businessman. He operated a convenience store in a community considered a food desert and mentored community children and young adults on farming basics and auto mechanics.

Mr. Magee was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Dr. Virgil Magee and Rosia Lee McLaurin Magee; loving wife of 54 years, Rosa Patricia Magee; son, Charles Patrick; sisters, Madella Magee, Bobbie Ruth Magee Watts, and Bobbie Lee Magee; brother, Virgil Magee, Jr.

Survivors include his daughters, Jada Magee-Stroud(Shawn), Houston, TX, and Tara Thompson(Kevin), Missouri City, TX; grandchildren, S. Jonathan Chase Stroud, Wyleigh Rose thompson and Grant Charles Thompson; sister, Charlotte Givens, Washington, DC; niece, Paula Flowers(Earl)o, Collin s, MS; nephews, Taylor Harper and Breaun Magee, both of Collins, Virgil J. Magee ( Daphney), Bridgewater, NJ and Quincy Magee, Philadellphia, PA; sister in laws, Bethrotha Magee, Marlton, NJ and Beverly Gamble(Vernell), Hattiesburg, MS; special mentee, Chikezie Mclaurin and Zachary Cfraft, both of Collins; and a host o funcles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and mentees.

Active Pallbearers: Breaun Magee, Chikezie McLaurin, Antonio Anderson, Taylor Harper, Marcus Flowers, and Levon McClinton.

Honorary Pallbearers: Dr. Kevin Thompson, Lee Earl McLaurin, Ronald McLaurin, Virgil J. Magee, Ben Clanton, Jr., Shellie McLaurin, Rodney McLaurin, and Quincy Magee

Flower Bearers: Nieces, Cousins, and Friends

The Master of the Ceremony was Dr. Picasso Nelson. Reverend Randy Miller was the Officiant.