Sarah Ruth McGee, 80, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013. Funeral: 11:30 a.m. Monday in Mount Olivet Chapel in Fort Worth. Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: 10:30 a.m. Monday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home. Sarah Ruth McGee was born Sept. 27, 1933, in Mansfield, La. Sarah began her business career as secretary to the president of, what was then a small company, Alcon. When she went to her boss to give notice, he reminded her that she was third from the top of the company. Her boss replied. "If this goes where I think it is going, it's going to be big." This was the '60s, and she informed him that Bell Helicopter had offered her 10 cents more an hour, telling him she and her husband needed the extra money. Sarah was as hard working in her new position and after many promotions and raises there was no other place to go, for a woman in the early '60s. An executive decision was made and she officially became a "Test Pilot," as the only way to properly compensate her for her work. When she and her husband, Emmett "Bo" McGee, had saved a sufficient amount of money she left her position at Bell to start Forward Manufacturing. Together they would go on to build a highly successful manufacturing firm. She was an extremely savvy business administrator, one of the best. She was, for example, past president of the Southwest Fort Worth Business and Professional Women's Club. Sarah was a kind, loving, generous person who devoted much of her life to taking care of and helping the family and friends she loved so well. Those of us lucky enough to have had her in our lives loved her greatly in return and we will miss her as long as we live. Sarah was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Emmett H. McGee, and her brother, William K. Ballenger. Survivors: Sarah is survived by a sister, Mary Catherine "Billie" Betts; sisters-in-law, Sarah Ballenger and Patty McGee. She is also survived by godchildren who added an extra measure of love to her life, Amy Cushman and Andy Schoening; a multitude of nieces and nephews; and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews.
Published in Star-Telegram on Dec. 1, 2013