Ella B. McGhee was born Ella Roberta Baskfield to Garland Baskfield and Cornelia Jane Baskfield on June 11, 1924 and left to be with the Lord on June 12, 2014. She was the only girl among four brothers, Melvin, Garland, Vivian and Archie Baskfield. Although appearing somewhat shy, Ella always showed a tremendous amount of interest in empowering others with her wisdom and intelligence. Ella went on to attend the University of Syracuse in Syracuse, NY where she majored in Education. She would eventually put that education on hold to return home to help her ailing mother. After the passing of her mother, Ella, determined not to allow any obstacles stand to in her way, enrolled into Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA where she graduated with her Bachelors in Education.

After graduation from Virginia State University, Ella was introduced to William W. McGhee on a blind date by her brother Garland Baskfield. After a little over a year, Ella and William married September 25, 1948 at Columbia Baptist Church, Columbia VA. Ella and William began their life's journey with one another in Louisa, VA and she moved her membership to Foster Creek Baptist Church. Together they raised three children, Beverly, Ervin and Gloria McGhee.

Eventually Ella McGhee would continue to further her education and earned her Masters of Education at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Her profession was that of an educator and librarian. In addition to her professional career, Ella was dedicated to volunteering and was involved in numerous organizations. She participated with: Volunteers of Louisa, NAACP, Veterans for Women, Eastern Star, MAACA, JABA, UVA Alumni Association, VSU Alumni Association and Virginia Educational Media Association. She often volunteered to teach at various Elementary Schools and was involved in numerous organizations at Foster Creek Baptist Church.

Ella is preceded in death by her son, Ervin W. McGhee.

Ella is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, William W. McGhee; daughters, Beverly M. Brice and Gloria M. Talley. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Alfred L. Bennett III, Maxine R. Bullock, Michael D. Talley, Patrick D. Talley, Ashley M. Brice and William A. Brice along with a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. She was loved and had special affection for her nephew Melvin B. Baskfield, niece Helen M. Thurston, great nieces, Renita and Jenita Thurston whom she thought of as her grandchildren as well as her loyal healthcare companions Katherine Scott and CleOlive Lewis.

She was a faithful wife and mother; a woman who loved the Lord and who was loved and respected by many who knew her. She found the good in everything and everyone who was around her.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Foster Creek Baptist Church, 4028 East Jack Jouett Road, Louisa with the Rev. Michael Crawley, officiating.

Interment will follow in Galilee Baptist Church, Ferncliff, VA.