Graveside services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at Dreamland Cemetery with The Rev. John Christian Kile, grandson, officiating. Ethel Brasuel McGee "MeMe", 98, died peacefully, August 10, 2009, with her daughter, Sally, and son-in-law, Charles, by her side in their Houston home, where she came to live in 1999. This beautiful, talented, happy spirit was born to Hattie Keenan and Leonard Elbourne Brasuel, June 26, 1911, on her paternal grandparents ranch in the foothills of Oklahoma near Keota in Haskell County. Before the 1918 flu outbreak, her father moved his ranching operation to New Mexico, where she often rode horseback to attend school in Sofia and Grenville. Later, the family settled on the edge of the Palo Duro Canyon. There, she attended school in Canyon and Amarillo and received her college degree in speech and history from West Texas State, performing leads in dramas, musicals and heading her debate team. Ethel married the love of her life, Virgil Jones McGee, an A&M graduate in civil engineering, November 22, 1936. He was devoted to her, until his death, May 4, 1986, as they were celebrating fifty wonderful years of marriage. They were great friends, wonderful dancers and, together, they enjoyed the fine arts, theatre, literature, the Rotary (Anns) and other civic endeavors. They were very involved in the First Presbyterian Church. In the early years, while he built a system of roads and bridges that crisscrosses the Texas Panhandle, she devoted herself to their two daughters and was most content lending her love, wisdom and support in the background. Beloved by all, Ethel cherished life and found the best in others. She knew what matters is how you live life and treat people. Wherever Ethel lived on the high plains, bounteous gardens of flowers, vegetables and fruits bloomed. Family pets "acquired special voices" to wittily inspire loved ones to perform their duties. This small, delicate woman could dispatch a rattlesnake with her garden hoe and remove ravenous hornworms from her tomato plants, barehanded. Other creatures were treated with gentle kindness, given names and shared her space as friends. Ethel had the mind and hands of an artist - her canvas - the necessities of everyday life transformed by her excellent handwork into cherished objects of wit and beauty. Gourmet creations, so deliciously enjoyed, were made without recipes. Her amazing pies were second to none. A master teacher for over 25 years, this talent extended to her classroom where Ethel inspired children with special understanding and guidance. Ethel loved music and poetry. From childhood, with her siblings and father"s fabulous deep bass, her beautiful soprano voice soared, as her mother played, even classical, piano by ear. People were amazed that Ethel recited complex poetry and sang, recalling all the lyrics to every song she had known, until her death. A historian, Ethel passionately supported freedom and democracy, believing God helps those who help themselves. She gave a "hand up", believing a "hand out" cripples our Country and fellowman. In her later years, Ethel was very involved with Republican Women and the Genealogical Society. She was selected a delegate to the Republican State Convention during the candidacy of President George Herbert Walker Bush. Preceded in death by her seven siblings and husband, Ethel is survived by her daughter, Sally and husband, Dr. Charles Neblett, of Houston, Texas, her daughter, Susan and husband, John Kile, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, five grandsons: Alexander Neblett and wife Tara, Andrew Neblett and wife Margaret, Nicholas Neblett and wife, Katherine, all of Houston, and Jem Kile and wife Louisa of Bath, United Kingdom, The Rev. Christian Kile of Ivyland, Pennsylvania, 15 great grandchildren, her sister-in-law, Marjorie Brasuel, Virgil"s cousin, Ana Mayo Wilder, and many wonderful nieces, ne