Gwyneth McKee

Gwyneth Olwen (Williams) McKee, 91, of Centralia, passed away Sunday, August 25, 2019 at Alton Memorial Hospital. She was born January 29, 1928 in Ringoes, New Jersey, daughter of George Owen Williams and Edith (Kiss) Williams. She married John Morris Poland on December 22, 1949 and he preceded her in death on September 6, 1962. Gwyneth married James “Jim” Webster McKee on August 20, 1970 and he survives in Bethalto. In addition to her husband of 49 years: James “Jim” Webster McKee of Bethalto; two children: Scott Kenneth Poland and wife Cindy of Knoxville, Tennessee and Kimberly Anne Baugh and husband Russ of Edwardsville; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law: Ada Poland of Fayetteville, Arkansas; a brother: Dr. Trevor Williams and wife Gail of Salisbury, North Carolina; a brother-in-law: George Poland and wife Carol of St. Louis, Missouri; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: George and Edith Williams, a husband: John Poland, two sons: John Richard Poland and Mark Alan James McKee, a brother-in-law: Joseph Poland, and two sisters-in-law: Mary Elizabeth Cox and Joan Bozzett. Gwyneth graduated from Flemington High School. She attended Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee, where she graduated with her Bachelor Degree in Education. She also attended Design School in New York. She later attended Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, where she graduated with her Masters Degree. She taught school in St. Louis for 6 years and she later retired after 18 years at the Centralia City Schools. Gwyneth was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Centralia, where she served as an Elder in the church, a Sunday School Teacher, Past President of the Presbyterian Women’s Club and Circle Chairman. She was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma, where she was past President, held a position in the State Office, and Teacher of the Year Book in 1988. Gwyneth held a State Membership Chair for 6 years in the I.V.H.E.T.A., a member of the St. Louis Teachers Association, and served as a past President of the P.E.O. Gwyneth served as a volunteer on a mission trip to Utah at the Wasatch Academy Presbyterian Church for 2 years. She and her husband, James, enjoyed supporting the Marion Medical Mission, where they have developed several water wells for different villages. She cherished the time she spent with her family and friends. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 12:00 PM at the First Untied Presbyterian Church in Centralia with Pastor Stan Martin officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the church on Saturday morning. Memorial donations may be made to the James McKee Scholarship Fund at Kaskaskia College and/or Marion Medical Mission and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, whom is honored to be of service to the McKee Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com

Gwyneth McKee

January 29, 1928 - August 25, 2019