Obituary

Althea Crowe Magee

June 20, 1947 - May 18, 2022

Althea Crowe Magee, a life-long resident of Franklinton, LA, passed from her earthly life to eternal life on May 18, 2022. Born to Arie Melissa Crowe and Norvel Archie Crowe on June 20, 1927, she was one month shy of celebrating her 95th birthday. “Miss Althea” grew up in Franklinton, LA, attending Washington Parish public schools. She was remembered by her peers as a skilled basketball player at Franklinton High School, from which she graduated in 1945. She attended Southeastern Louisiana University, then married her sweetheart, Bobby Magee. The two of them worked side-by-side at their businesses, Magee-Pettit Firestone, then Magee Motors, as they raised their six children. A founding and charter member of Bowling Green School and Hillcrest Baptist Church, Althea worked tirelessly with both organizations, serving as a member of the church hostess committee (kitchen crew) with her dear friends for nearly 50 years. Althea was a long-time member of the Winterset Club, lending her creative talents (and her children) to many fair floats through the years. She was an accomplished seamstress and gardener. She also loved baking, playing piano, working in service to her church, and entertaining her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be remembered for her gentle servant’s heart.

Althea is survived by six children and their spouses: Dianne (Richard) Dillon of Franklinton, JoEllen (Errol) Voinche of Hammond, Connie Magee of Franklinton, Tammy (James) Magruder of Franklinton, David (Donie) Magee of Chapel Hill, NC, and Mark (Heidi) Magee of Austin, TX. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and their spouses: Grant (Pam) Dillon of Austin, TX, Dr. Darren (Ashley) Dillon of Montgomery, AL, Nikki (Shane) May and Ashley (Kyle) May of Tickfaw, LA, Zachariah (Amanda) Magee of Franklinton, Alexa Ingram of Covington, LA, Hallie (Stuart) Hall of Charleston, SC, Madison Magee of Bozeman, MT, Patton Magee of Livingston Manor, NY, Breighton Magee of New York, NY, Greyson Magee of Chapel Hill, NC, Sr. Airman Fletcher Magee of Okinawa, Japan, Midshipman Hudson Magee of Kings Point, NY, Stricklon Magee and Emerson Magee of Chapel Hill, NC, Blake Magee, Landon Magee, and Kinni Magee of Austin, TX. She was blessed with 10 great-grandchildren: Steve Short and Dustin (Mollie) Short of Austin, TX, Maclou Dillon, Marguerite Dillon, and William Dillon of Montgomery, AL, Garrett May, Kendall May, Savannah Smith, and Levi Smith all of Tickfaw, LA, Abbey Magruder of New Orleans, LA, Cameron Magee of Franklinton, LA, James Hall and Colette Hall of Charleston, SC; one great-great grandchild, Luke Dillon Short of Austin, TX, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Althea was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Robert E. “Bobby” Magee; her parents and step-father, Norvel Crowe, Arie Crowe Strahan and Newey Strahan; her siblings: Odie Crowe, Delma Crowe, Daisy Smith, Exie Graham, Bobbie Johnson, and Evie Varnado; one son, Robert E. Magee, Jr.; three grandchildren: Clint Dillon, Jim Magruder, and Carlee Ingram.

Special thanks to the staff at Christwood of Covington and St. Tammany Parish Hospital Hospice for their loving care.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 21 beginning at 10AM until time for the funeral at 2PM. All services will be held at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Franklinton, LA. A private burial will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church Hospitality Committee.