Helen McKee

Helen Lucile Small McKee, 96, passed away March 17, 2025. Helen was born July 26, 1928 to James Monette and Gladys Lucille Small in Jackson where she lived most of her life. She graduated from Jackson High School with the Class of 1946 and, later that year, on August 31st Helen married her closest friend and true love, Claude Eugene McKee. Helen was a dedicated homemaker, a devoted wife, and a wonderful mother. Her only son Claude James was born June 2, 1947; his grandmother Olivia McKee gave him his nickname CJ in a letter on December 19, 1952. Helen had been a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Jackson where she served in the nursery for 20+ years. Helen faithfully attended her home church in Jackson until moving to be near her son in Tuscaloosa on May 1, 2016 and later moving her Letter to First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa where she attended until her passing. Helen was affectionately know as "Bubba" to her family and childhood friends; she will be dearly missed by all who knew her and carry her legacy in their hearts.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband, Claude "Frosty" McKee who passed on October 4, 1991.

She is survived by her son, Claude James McKee (beloved wife of 20 years, Kaye); grandchildren, Leigh Anne McKee of Loxley, Claude Scott McKee (wife, Michelle) of Mount Olive, and Helen Lauren Olivia McKee of Tuscaloosa; 8 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Services will be held Friday, March 21, 2025 at Lathan Funeral Home, Jackson. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral begins at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Brian Jemison and Bro. Keith Pugh, officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Crest Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Scott McKee, Adam McKee, Reid Davison, Alex Davison, Rob Howell, Branson Boler, and Paul Reynolds.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Jo Glass, Tony Morrison, Scott Patterson, Alan Love, Jim Howell, Ric Dunigan, Fred Huggins, Johnny Hicks and Daryl Deas.