ORDER OF SERVICE Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 11:00AM EST
Musical Prelude
Mrs. Alona S. Cunningham
Musical Selection
“No Ways Tired” Rev. James Cleveland
Processional
Ms. La Toya Haskins Cathey Ministers and Family
Invocation
Bishop O.L. Meadows Alabama First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Scripture Readings Old Testament
Mr. Hosea Agee, Cousin
New Testament
Elder George Gordon, Nephew
Musical Selection
“My Soul Has Been Anchored” Douglas Miller
Inspirational Moments
Reverend Jerry Cunningham
Minister Karen Lunsford Stough, Friend Ms. Brenda S. Wright, “The Daughters of Zion“
Special Tribute
Bishop Designate Arthur F. Mosley
Family Tributes
Mr. Clarence Stewart, Brother-in-Law Bishop Darryl Johnson, Nephew Mr. Joe Agee Jr, Brother Dr. Andrea Kiel, Niece
Introduction of Granddaughters’ Tribute
Mr. Aaron Maxey
Poem
Miss Noraa Grace Maxey
Video
Miss Elizabeth JoAnn Maxey
Reading of Grace’s Life Story (Silently) “My Mommy” Reflection on Life Journey
Ms. Lia N. McWhorter, JD “I Can Only Imagine”
Acknowledgements
Arrington Funeral Home, Inc.
Benediction Recessional
Mrs. Virgie L. Greene, Sister
Bishop Darryl Johnson, Nephew “When I Think About Jesus”
Ms. La Toya Haskins Cathey
Benjamin Dube
“Going Up To Yonder” Walter Hawkins
Ministers, Family, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Sisters, Special Guests, Church and Others Following
Dr. Grace Agee McWhorter
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EARLY LIFE Grace Elizabeth Barbra Ann Agee was born on January 15, 1948, in
Grace grew up in a holiness home where
Whistler, Alabama, to Reverend Joe and Mother Carrie Agee. Grace
she accepted the Lord as her savior at the
received her unique name from the four nurses who assisted in bringing her
Whistler Church of God in Christ under
into the world. She was the youngest of twelve siblings, including nine
Pastor John Ford. As the daughter of a
sisters and two brothers. Eight of her siblings have preceded her in death:
sanctified Mother, she was dedicated to
Willie Gray Agee, Evelyn Holloman, Josie Treadwell, First Lady Geneva
the work of the Lord and strong in spirit,
Gordon, First Lady Catherine Williams, First Lady Carrie Knight, First
and at a tender age was anointed to play
Lady Asaline Johnson, and Tommie Agee, famed center fielder for the
the organ; she never took any lessons.
World Series Champion New York Mets.
She was the apple of her father's eye and
Educated in the Mobile County Public School System, Grace demonstrated exemplary academic and oratorical skills and graduated as salutatorian from the Mobile County Training Institute. From this humble beginning, she began an educational path that few have
at a young age, would follow him as he planted vegetables and flowers in his garden. These early influences would direct her vocational and educational paths for the rest of her life.
exceeded.
EDUCATION, CAREER, AND ACCOLADES Dr. Grace Agee-McWhorter received her Bachelor of Science and Master
She was nominated to Alpha Beta Honor Society and held memberships
of Science degrees in Horticulture/Plant and Soil Science from Tuskegee
in the Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honor Society, and Beta Beta
Institute (University). She earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in
Scientific Honor Society, in addition to the Alabama Academy of Science,
Plant Pathology and Botany from the University of Florida in 1978, and
the National Association of Community College Women, and the
her Master of Divinity degree from the Beeson Divinity School at Samford
Association of Supervisors & Curriculum Development. In 1978, she was
University in 1992. During her tenure as a graduate student at the
nominated as one of the Outstanding Young Women of America, and
University of Florida, she was awarded the Graduate Council Research
named Who’s Who Among American Teachers. Furthermore, Dr.
Fellowship Award, the Graduate Research Associate Award, and she was
McWhorter was awarded Florida A&M University’s School of Allied and
one of the first people to be honored with the Florida Board of Regents
Health Sciences Distinguished Service Award in 1986, the Outstanding
Minority Fellowship Award.
Alumnus Award in Agriculture from Tuskegee University in 1989, the
Since 1965, The American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program
Girl Scouts of North-Alabama “Women of Distinction” honor in 1995,
has strengthened colleges and universities by providing comprehensive
and was presented with the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Junior
leadership development for vice-presidents, department chairs, faculty,
College Faculty from the Alabama College System in 1996. She went on
and other emerging leaders. Dr. McWhorter was named an American
to be the esteemed keynote speaker for the George Washington Carver
Council on Education Fellow for the 2000-2001 academic year at North
Luncheon that celebrated one
Carolina A&T University where she also served as a member of the
hundred years since Dr. Carver
Chancellor’s Cabinet. Additionally, she participated on key committees in
joined Tuskegee’s Research and
the strategic visioning process called FUTURES Planning and Resource
Extension Program. She is also
Council. She was selected as a Millennium Leadership Institute Fellow by
an Eminent Tuskegee University
the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. During this
Presidential Associate, as well as a
year-long experience, Dr. McWhorter was mentored by Dr. Betty Siegel,
member of the George
President of Kennesaw State University in Marietta, Georgia.
Washington Carver Society.
Dr. Grace Agee McWhorter
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EDUCATION, CAREER, AND ACCOLADES (CONTINUED) Dr. McWhorter was chosen as one of fourteen renowned educators to serve on
As the Coordinator for Ornamental Horticulture at Florida A&M
the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Committee on Undergraduate
University, Dr. McWhorter set herself apart on a national level as an
Science Education (CUSE). The NAS provides objective science-based advice
advocate for and researcher in the area of Small and Limited Resource
on critical issues affecting the nation and the CUSE is charged with the task of
Farms. She also sat on numerous university committees and held key
promoting and sustaining improvement in the undergraduate education in the
faculty positions including Faculty Representative on the President’s
physical and biological sciences for all students. Dr. McWhorter’s goals were
Executive Staff. She was the Visiting Professor with the Farmers Home
specifically geared towards better preparation and increased enrollment for
Administration, an agency of the United State Department of Agriculture.
women and minorities pursuing advanced studies in the advanced study in the
In this position, she was bestowed with advising and consulting
sciences.
responsibility for small farms issues in the state of Florida.
Her decorated tenure in academia has included being a faculty member at the
Dr. McWhorter took on the role of a Program Review Associate with the
University of Missouri at St. Louis, Jacksonville State University, Talladega
State of University System of Florida-The Florida Board of Regents,
College, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Florida A&M University, and
wherein she advised and collaborated with the Board, Presidents, and
the University of Montevallo. She was appointed as the Chairperson of the
State Legislators on issues concerning her program areas. She was
Natural Sciences Department at Lawson State University in 1993 and the
specifically charged with policy development, program reviews, and
Project Site Director of the National Institute of Health’s Biomedical Bridge to
terminations in the Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Allied Health
the Baccalaureate Degree Program (BBBD). The BBBD Program was created
Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Health Related Professions. She also
to increase the enrollment of underrepresented minorities in Science,
received and made recommendations related to the establishment of
Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) sciences and was recognized in 2001
Centers and Institutes related to these disciplines. Furthermore, Dr.
as a model for mentoring in teaching and learning. Dr. McWhorter was
McWhorter coordinated a system-wide review of Life Sciences programs
promoted to the position of Executive Assistant to the President for
and was the staff coordinator for the Five-Year Plan for Agriculture in the
Instruction and Planning while concurrently acting as co-chair for Alabama’s
State of Florida. This position required her to be a facilitator between the
Master Teaching Program and chairperson for the Chemistry Discipline State
two Land Grant Agriculture Programs at Florida A&M University and the
Articulation Committee. Dr. McWhorter played a key role in the planning and
University of Florida.
development of the State’s Teaching and Learning Initiative. These endeavors garnered national recognition as a Bellwether College Consortium Award
She was an Assistant Professor in the University of Alabama at
Finalist for being cutting-edge, trendsetting programs worthy of replication.
Birmingham (UAB) Department of Nutrition Sciences and Program
She went on to act as Chairperson for the Third Annual Alabama College
Coordinator for the University Cooperative Program on Food, Nutrition,
System Teaching Association Executive Committee and she served on the State
and Agriculture. Participating universities included: UAB, Alabama A&M
Chancellor’s five-member Professional Development Task Force.
University, Auburn University, and Tuskegee University. Her mission included: ripening extramural funding requests to include grants and contracts; fostering the Student Exchange Program between UAB and other participating institutions; and evolving curriculum development as it pertains to graduate education in agriculture, nutrition, and the medical sciences; analysis of enrollment and recruitment trends and progressing retention strategies, lecturing undergraduate and graduate level courses; providing academic counseling to students; aiding the Director in identifying crucial areas of interaction between clinical and agricultural research areas; acting on school and university committees, and performing other duties as assigned by the Dean and Chairman.
Dr. Grace Agee McWhorter
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MINISTRY In February 1991, the Pastor and Board at Sardis Baptist Church in
Dr. McWhorter was a noted educator, motivational speaker, and mentor
Birmingham, Alabama, ordained Dr. McWhorter. She subsequently served as
in higher education for over forty-five years. She was skilled,
assistant pastor, Chancellor for Education, and Executive Pastor for local
knowledgeable, and effective in conflict resolution, pastoral counseling,
churches. Dr. McWhorter received several post-graduate certificates of training
spiritual formation, and leadership development. Dr. McWhorter
in pastoral care and counseling, verbal and non-verbal communications and
ministered with a unique apostolic and prophetic voice for this season in
crisis intervention and team-building strategies by the United States Army
the Kingdom of God. Her messages inspired hope and released restoration
Special Task Force. Additionally, she was a member of the College of
and inner healing. Many described her as a compassionate, charismatic
Chaplains and the American Association of Pastoral Education. Colleagues in
teacher and homilist. She was a woman of faith who espoused a spirit of
the United States and abroad described Dr. McWhorter as an articulate
excellence and yes, Dr. Grace, as she was affectionately called, was a
communicator, charismatic speaker, and skilled lecturer.
spiritual mother and role model to many sons and daughters.
Dr. McWhorter served as a board member of the Leadership Council of the
Dr. Grace McWhorter is survived by her husband of fifty-two years, Dr.
Baptist Health Systems, Inc., member of the Strategic Planning Committee,
George R. McWhorter, a practicing physician in the Birmingham area,
and Chairperson of the Accreditation Committee for the Good Samaritan
two daughters, Kenya A. Maxey and Lia N. McWhorter, the two loves of
Counseling Center.
her life, her granddaughters, Noraa Grace Maxey and Elizabeth JoAnn Maxey, two sisters, Rosie Hackworth (Evansville, Indiana) and Virgie
In 2001, Dr. McWhorter transitioned to full-time ministry. She became a
Greene (Atlanta, GA), one brother, Joe Agee Jr. (Brenda) (Mobile, AL),
faculty member in the School of Ministry of the Full Gospel Church
one brother-in-law, Clarence Stewart (Marietta, GA), one sister-in-law,
Fellowship. As a faculty member, Dr. McWhorter held the following positions:
Maxcine Agee (New York, NY) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins,
Associate Minister, Assistant Pastor, Chancellor of Education, and Executive
Sorority sisters, mentees and friends.
Pastor. She was also a member of the Glad Tidings Church in Birmingham, where her nephew, Darryl Johnson, is the Bishop. Dr. McWhorter served the pastor and congregation of the Cathedral of Faith Church of God in Christ in Atlanta, Georgia, in selected areas of teaching, counseling and training under Bishop Designate Arthur Mosley's leadership. She was a licensed Missionary/Evangelist in the Church of God in Christ.
PRECIOUS MEMORIES “In times of grief and sadness, our memories comfort us the most.”
PRECIOUS MEMORIES “In times of grief and sadness, our memories comfort us the most.”
PRECIOUS MEMORIES “In times of grief and sadness, our memories comfort us the most.”
Acknowledgements The McWhorter and Agee Family are grateful for the many expressions of kindness extended to us during our time of bereavement. Your prayers, calls, text messages, visits, flowers, cards, gifts and other courtesies have certainly helped to sustain us during this most difficult time. Thank you for showing your love in such abundance. We ask for your continued prayers.
We also appreciate the special services of the Bishop O.L. Meadows, Arrington Funeral Home, Brenda S. Wright, Veronica Jackson, Dr. Andrea Kiel, Elizabeth Wilson and the video tribute created by the Agee family musicians.
Honorary Pallbearers Bishop Jonathan Greer – Spiritual Father Pastor Grady Gordon – Nephew Stephen A. Smith – Nephew Pastor Terry Ellison – Nephew Pastor Darryl Mayo – Nephew Mr. Joe Agee Jr. - Brother
Pallbearers Nephews of Dr. McWhorter
Honorary Flower Bearers Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Lady Shelia Mosley, First Lady of Cathedral of Faith COGIC
Flower Bearers Nieces of Dr. McWhorter “Daughters of Zion”
Internment Friday March 12, 2021 1:15 PM Alabama National Cemetery 3133 SR-119 Montevallo, AL 35115
Funeral Services Entrusted to Arrington Funeral Home 520 Cotton Ave, SW, Birmingham, AL 35211 D. Denard Jones, The Media Mogul Graphic Design d.denardjones@icloud.com | #TheMediaMogulGraphicDesign