Raymond C. McBee

Raymond Charles McBee passed away on December 21, 2022 in Muskogee. He was born on February 5, 1935 to Raymond Henry McBee and Ruby Kendell McBee at his Granddad McBee’s house in Hinton, Oklahoma. He attended school in Hinton until 1945 when his dad bought a farm south of Warner. He attended Woodall School through the 8th grade and then attended and graduated from Warner High School in May of 1953. Raymond enjoyed listening to his mother play the piano and sing. Their family had fun hosting neighborhood singings. He remembered fun times around the coal oil lamp with his mother reading books, telling stories and singing. He married Mable Talley on October 25, 1953. They shared 69 years of marriage with love, memories and lots of fun travel adventures. He retired in 2001 from Cross Telephone Company after 32 years of employment. He was a founding member and assistant fire chief of the Warner Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the Jaycees. He mowed at the Warner cemeteries and maintained cemetery records for many years. Raymond was proud that he turned his life over to Jesus in 1968 providing him with much joy and happiness. He enjoyed singing in church, and his early morning Bible reading and prayer time. He was a deacon at Warner First Assembly of God for over 20 years where he helped complete many building projects. He and Mable went on a few mission trips also. Raymond’s favorite holiday was Christmas. His favorite food was fried chicken and peanut butter cream pie. Some of his hobbies were riding horses, inventing, riding bikes, dozer work, riding motorcycles, reading his Bible, driving and restoring tractors and mowing his lawn. He had a great time with Mable traveling, and spending time with his girls and his grandkids brought him lots of joy. He liked his role as designated rider when they were learning to drive so he could share stories of his life. His great-grandkids brought him even more joy. In his words, “I would not trade my life for any other. I had a good life.” He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, William Perry “Billy” McBee. Raymond is survived by his wife, Mable of the home; daughter, Vickie Ashmore and husband Steve; daughter, Cathie McBee Fisher; granddaughter, Holly Ashmore Skaggs and husband Tyson; grandson, Stephen Charles Ashmore and wife Jaleesa; great-grandchildren, Brayden Skaggs, Emma Skaggs and Eleanor Ashmore; sisters, Delores Paige and Geneva Moore Helms and husband R. C.; sisters-in-law, Lillian McBee and Lanette Talley; special friends, Linda Leach, Peter Crownover and Coby Crownover West; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other family members and friends. Raymond’s life celebration will be at 1PM, Thursday, December 29 at the First Assembly of God Church in Warner with Rev. Josh McElyea officiating. Interment will follow at Warner Memorial Cemetery with William Perry “Bill” McBee Jr, Jackie Hood, Don Phillip Paige, Mike Talley, Larry Potts and Tony LaBounty all serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Leo Smithson, Boe Mullins, Herbie Brown, Richard Ralls, Charlie Brown, Donald Moore, Terry Reid, Robert Talley and Gerald Parsons.

Raymond C. McBee

February 5, 1935 - December 21, 2022