Genevieve Marie Keller Magee 

Published 4:19 pm Tuesday, September 24, 2024

“The LORD knoweth the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall be forever.”

On the morning of Sept. 16, 2024, an Angel of the Lord, having read the Lamb’s Book of Life, descended from heaven, and ushered his faithful servant, Genevieve Keller Magee, into the saintly realm, at the divine appointed hour, to enable Genevieve to receive the promises and biblical covenant of our Almighty God.

Genevieve Marie Keller entered the world on Jan. 21, 1922, in Vacherie, La.  She was given by God to her parents, the late Bartholomew and Mrs. Malvina Stieb Keller.   A total of 10 boys and girls were given by God to this union.

Genevieve lived to be 102 years old and was the last surviving member of the family. Genevieve was preceded in death by her mother and father; brothers, Maurry Keller, George Keller, Authur Keller, Julius Keller, and Paul Keller; sisters, Mrs. Dora K. Chopin, Mrs. Dorothy K. Laurent, Mrs. Rita K. Jones, and Mrs. Agneal K. Harris; a granddaughter, Mrs. Stephanie Nicole Magee-Myles, and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Rita Varnado-Magee (Stephen). 

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Mrs. Jacqueline Alston Keller (Paul) of Sacramento, Calif.

On April 16, 1949, Genevieve Keller married Hubert Anthony Magee and remained married until her husband Hubert passed away on Sept. 13, 2008. They were married for 59 years and maintained dual residences in the cities of Bogalusa and New Orleans, La.

Prior to her marriage, Genevieve joined the Women’s’ Army Corp (WAC) after the U.S. Government gave women full benefits, privileges, and rank as men who served in the military. She was originally trained to serve as a cryptographical expert.  She later found that she was better suited to serve in the medical department as a medical and surgical technician. She served meritoriously and was later decorated for her achievements. She was given an honorable discharge with all benefits given to male soldiers. She returned to New Orleans and continued her education at Straight College.

Upon the move with her husband Hubert to Bogalusa in 1954, after he accepted a position at Central Memorial High School, Genevieve Keller Magee landed a job with the largest Black-owned insurance company in the United States of America, The Booker T. Washington Insurance Company of Alabama, with Universal Life Insurance Company, Inc. becoming the surviving entity. For many years Genevieve Magee served as Executive Assistant and Accounts Manager for the Bogalusa regional offices.

Genevieve Keller Magee is survived by three children, Diane Kathleen Magee, a resident of Woldenberg Nursing Home of New Orleans, Stephen Anthony Magee of Harvey, La., and Dr. Adrian Gerard Magee of Los Angeles, Calif.

Genevieve will be forever remembered by her grandchildren, Mrs. Kianta Ceaser of Harvey, La., and Elijah Duquesne “Duke” Magee, Adrianne Genevieve Magee, and Adrian Gerard Magee II of Los Angeles, Calif.; four great-grandchildren, and two great- great-grandchildren, all of Harvey, La., and a host of relatives, nieces, and nephews.

During Genevieve’s long life she has had enduring friendships with Mrs. Charlene Henry, Ms. Linda Prince, Dr. Patricia Morris, Stanley Brown, Dr. Pamela Short-Powell,  Mr. and Mrs., H. Kenneth Johnston,  Barbara Stieb, Kenneth Wayne Martin, Dennis and Diane Penton, Betty Garibaldi, Mrs. Grace Berry, Janet Harrison,  Fermon Short, Prescott Keller, Dr. Denise Short-Bridges, Mrs. Maddy Lewis, MacAuthur Slocum,  Mr. and Mrs. Larry Watterson, Mrs. Georgia Bruns-Martin, Ferdinand and Carolyn Villavaso, Mrs. Mary Chatmon,  Atty. E. William Broome, Grace Foster, Amadee, Denise, and Brandee Garibaldi, and the Rev. Alfonso Nelson. 

Services will be held on Sept. 26, 2024, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Vacherie, La. from 9 a.m. Military Honors will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m.

Thibodaux Funeral Home is in charge   of arrangements.