Maggie Parson McBee

We moved to Gastonia from Georgia in the early '40. We lived at 316 South King Street (aka the Firestone Mill Village). I have wonderful memories of living there--learning to skate, riding the bicycle (with the help of Mrs. Pearl Tate), going to the Firestone pool and watching out-door movies there, visiting Dunlevy Store on 2nd Ave. and buying penny candy. Also walking to the ball park (up from our house) to see the game from outside the fence. We had wonderful neighbors - always caring. I remember how they showed love and support when my older brother died. These are memories I will never forget. I attended Abernathy school from the 1st through the 4th grade. When I was in the 4th grade, I was picked, along with others, to be on the Fred Kirby's television show. Can't remember who the others were. Can anyone help me on this? When I was in the 5th grade, we moved to South Gastonia and I attended SGS through the 9th grade. Brown Baird was the principal. One day at recess time a few of us decided to go and have fun swinging off a vine that went from one side of a ditch to the other.This was behind Calvary Baptist Church. Of course, we forgot the time and when we looked up, there stood Mr. Baird. This was the last time that I ever left the school grounds without permission--but it was FUN! Mrs. Little (Mack Spurrier's grandmother) was my favorite teacher.

I enjoyed my years at Ashley. I remember Mrs. Taylor's 3-minute book reports and Ms. Underwood's history class. I took secretarial classes as I knew I would work in that field. The students from SGS had to ride the bus and this limited our time to be involved in many activities. I worked part-time at Eagles 5 & 10 during my high school year.

After graduation I married Larry McBee (ex-Marine) in July. This year we will be celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary with our family on a Hawaiian Cruise. I worked at Pyramid Electric, Threads, Inc., and Warner & Swasey Textile Machinery. I stayed home for a while after this but finally went to work for our company until retirement. After this I worked part-time for a tour company, and after the company closed in 2003, I started planning trips. I do several a year and really enjoy doing this. Larry and I have just returned from Germany. We were delayed a week getting back home due to the Iceland volcanic eruption.

Our daughter Angie married Parks Wilson in 1992.
He has two daughters by his first marriage (Katy and Maggie). They made us great-grandparents last year - Emma Grace (Maggie) and John Parks (Katy)