Joanne Mcghee

Joanne Marie McGhee (nee Alvesteffer), age 85, of Hendersonville, Tennessee died peacefully in her apartment on February 28, 2021.She was born In Hart, Michigan on October 16, 1935 the oldest of nine children. Her parents were Lawrence and Agnes Alice Alvesteffer, dairy farmers in Oceana County. She grew up on the farm, attended Hart High School, and after graduating trained as a secretary at the Davenport Business College of Grand Rapids. She married Roland Hilby of Coon Valley, Wisconsin in 1956; they were divorced in 1985. In 1986, she married Floyd McGhee of Clinton, Tennessee and they had 15 wonderful years together before he passed away.Joanne worked for many years in a variety of secretarial and administrative jobs, but raising her three children always came first. Values of hard work, frugality, self-reliance, and faith in God came easily to a child of the Great Depression with many younger brothers and sisters. The practical down-to-earth nature of a farm upbringing helped her to enjoy gardening and preserving of fruits and vegetables, sewing and knitting clothes for her family, and running a household. Joanne always had a very stylish sense of fashion and loved to go dancing. She also loved to play bridge and socialize and had many good friends. In her later years, she enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and painting.She is survived by her sons, Timothy (Aileen) Hilby, Brian (Ching-Fen) Hilby, daughter Julie (Scott) Johnson as well as five grandchildren who meant the world to her, Kimberly Hilby, Kristan Hilby, Craig Hilby, Porter Johnson, and Brewer Johnson; brother David (Michelle) Alvesteffer and sisters, Carol (Jerry) Kirkbride, and Rose (Bob) Wagner. She will be missed by all.Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.