Serving Scott County for
More Than 104 Years!

 


James Clinton McGee
3/6/1917 - 1/18/2008

'Yuma Mall' Founder Passes Away

From staff reports

A long-time Yuma merchant has passed away last Friday after serving his community for more than 70 years.

James Clinton (J.C.) McGee opened McGee Grocery in the mid-1930s during the height of the Depression. His legacy has grown into a store affectionately called, "The Yuma Mall."

McGee, 90, entered into rest Jan. 18, 2008 following a short illness at Brookhaven Manor in Kingsport, Tenn.

Born March 6, 1917 in Scott County to the late Lee Andrew and Maggie Winegar McGee, McGee was the owner of McGee Grocery in Yuma for more than 70 years. He was also a charter member and first president of the Yuma Ruritan Club and was a member of the Prospect United Methodist Church for more than 40 years.

James opened his own store at the age of 16, back in 1933, after working for Grover Snodgrass at The Little Store in Gate City. He borrowed some items from Snodgrass to open his own much-needed store in the Yuma community.

In the beginning, James continued to work at the Little Store and walked across Clinch Mountain each day to go to work. He left Snodgrass' employment after he earned his first $20 profit.

James recalled that when he found a $20 bill in his cigar box one evening after previously seeing only due bills, he decided to put all his energies into growing his own business.

The first location of McGee's Grocery was located west of Prospect United Methodist Church. That original location was an old commissary building approximately 12-feet by 24-feet.

James, being an astute businessman, decided to build a larger building for his growing operation. Therefore, in 1947, the new McGee's Grocery opened near the Southern Railway railroad tracks.

The location was paramount because trains traveling through the area would make a daily stops at the store to allow employees to eat breakfast or lunch at McGee's. Many of the railroad employees, although they call another place their hometown, have forged lifetime friendships with employees and customers at the Yuma Mall.

Although James only built a one-room building for his store, the business continued to grow to meet the needs of the community. New additions over the years included a sandwich shop, beauty shop, barbershop, garage and apartments above the store.

On any given day, you can have a quick meal, buy your groceries or hardware items and have your gas tank filled at McGee's Grocery.

Perhaps the most unique feature at the store is the personalized service you receive at the Yuma Mall. In the early days, James offered credit to most of his customers, who paid off their bills once a year when they sold their tobacco. In the past, local residents also used the barter system to purchase their groceries, many times trading eggs and butter for necessary items.

Nowadays, the store has become part of the computer generation and uses computerized bookkeeping to help maintain an accounting of their business.

The Scott County Chamber of Commerce honored him and his wife, Maggie, when they received a Business and Industry Appreciation award for their long years of service. Most recently, McGee was recognized by the Yuma Ruritan Club for his many contributions in the Yuma community.

He is survived by wife of 62 years, Maggie Hartgrove McGee of Yuma; four daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Doyle Alley of Gate City, Linda McGee and Kenneth Bowling of Dublin, Jama and Bill Mason of Radford and Joy and Randy Chapman of Johnson City, Tenn.; a son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy C. and Malina McGee II of Gate City; one sister, Ruby Taylor of Brea, Calif.; grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law, Andy and Jenny Stewart Glenn, Angie Alley, Brad and Angelia Alley, Clint and Kim McGee, Fred Mason, Katie Mason, Emily Glenn, Chris Bowling and Kelly Bowling; great-grandchildren are Nate Glenn and Clara McGee; three step-grandchildren, Norah Slone, Alyssa Chapman and Adam Chapman; along with several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Monday at 2 p.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the Gate City Funeral Home with the Rev. Alan Karnes officiating. McGee's daughter, Linda, gave the eulogy.

Interment followed in the Holston View Cemetery, Weber City.

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