Mona Gray (Harris) McKee

 It is with heavy hearts that the McKee family announces the peaceful passing of Mona Gray Harris McKee on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Mona was born on September 18, 1930, in Rainelle, West Virginia, to Lucille and Floyd Harris. Mona was an active part of the community, school, and her church throughout her childhood and as a young adult. In her teenage years, she served as Grand Worthy Associate Advisor for the Order of Rainbow Girls of West Virginia. Mona graduated from Rainelle High School in 1948 and went on to attend West Virginia Wesleyan University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1952 in Secondary Teaching and Christian Education. She was the first person from her family to ever receive a college degree. While attending West Virginia Wesleyan, she met Benton R. McKee whom she married in 1951 at her home church in Rainelle, with the president of West Virginia Wesleyan University presiding and the entire town in attendance. Ben became a United Methodist minister and they began their ministry and life serving rural churches near the University and then moved to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where they had three children. As a team, they served six churches and led other pastors and their families in the Pittsburgh East District for over 40 years of ministry. Mona was very active in each of the churches that Ben served, from prayer groups and bible studies to the choir, where she was often a soloist with her beautiful voice. But Mona’s biggest passion with each of the churches was to start and grow active, vibrant youth groups that welcomed youth from all walks of life (regardless of church affiliation.) She was famous for her caramels, which she and the teens made as a fundraiser in each location. She was also a private tutor and substitute teacher and often took on short-term teaching assignments, often for home-bound students. Mona was devoted to her husband of 72 years, Benton McKee, who preceded her in death on January 17, 2023, and her family. She is survived by their three children, Jane Ellen (McKee) Melvin and husband Brian of Centreville, Maryland; Thomas Benton McKee and his wife, Susan (McGinnis) McKee of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania; David Floyd McKee and his wife, Jacqueline (Barr) McKee of State College, Pennsylvania; seven grandchildren (Jennifer, James, Adam, Jillian, Katie, Spencer, and Lauren), 14 great-grandchildren, two nephews, and one niece. A private celebration will be held at a later date. The McKee family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the entire staff of Concordia at Bethlen/Ligonier Gardens for their incredible kindness, compassion, and love during Mona and Ben’s final years. In honor of that (and in lieu of flowers), the McKee family would appreciate donations be made specifically to the “Activities Fund” at Ligonier Gardens. The activities there proved to be invaluable to Mona after Ben’s passing. Please mark your donation “In honor of Mona McKee.” We thank you for your kindness. Please send donations to: Concordia at Bethlen - Ligonier Gardens Attention: Dakota Miller 2018 Lincoln Hwy, Ligonier, PA 15658