Majel Rutland McBee Johnson, 93, passed away in Hattiesburg, Jan. 15, after succumbing to a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Majel was born in Wesson, on August 16, 1930 to Ed and Mamie Rutland. She moved to Vicksburg in 1943 and then to Hattiesburg in 2015.

Majel worked for Southern Bell as a telephone operator; Sears & Roebuck; and the Waterways Experiment Station until retirement.

Majel is predeceased by her parents and two brothers, Willard and William (Dub) Rutland. She also lost her husbands, Therrel William (Bud) McBee in 1982 and Tommy F. Johnson in 2022.

Majel is survived by two children, David William McBee (Nina) and Gaye McBee Purvis (Vic); two grandchildren, Michael McBee of Houston, TX and
Dr. Victoria (Vicki) Purvis Miles of Dallas; one great-grandson, Brody McBee of Houston; seven step-grandchildren: Brad, Dustin, and Eric Abbott; Daniel O’Neil; Kim Purvis Speed; Staci Purvis Maddox, and Bari Purvis Oglesbee.

Services were held at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg on Wednesday, Jan. 17, Dustin Abbott presided. The interment was in Green Acres Cemetery.