Orpha McBee

Orpha Earline McBee

Orpha was born on June 25, 1932 to Stella (Pennell) and Everett “Abe” Covert. She passed peacefully in the comfort of her home, March 22, 2025, with family at her side. At the age of 6 her mother passed and she was sent to Rock Creek to live with her grandmother Lou Pennell. Growing up on Rock Creek brought fond memories of the church house and the swinging bridge for her. Someone once said she was the prettiest girl on Rock Creek, which she never believed, but her family knew what they were talking about. She loved being with cousins, and cherished those moments being an only child. At the age of 17, Orpha caught the eye of George “Muckle” McBee, to whom fond love letters were sent, and soon a relationship began. On Muckle’s birthday, October 14, 1949, they were married. Soon after, they had their biggest blessing Georgetta, in September of 1950. Orpha was a devoted wife and mother and worked extremely hard to provide for her family at any point. She was not scared of hard work by any means. She worked and finally retired from the Cap Factory in Harrisburg IL. She was always doing side jobs and making quilts to preoccupy her spare time. Orpha was blessed with a son-in-law Denny, whom she loved just as her own, and in 1971 finally became Granny to a granddaughter Kimberly. Shortly after, she welcomed another granddaughter, Karie. Orpha spent many trips making the 2.5 hour drive on weekends and summers, but Granny never missed anything she didn’t have to for her girls. After retirement, Orpha received the biggest surprise and become a great grandmother to yet another baby girl, Kristin. This is the child who kept her on her toes the most as they lived right down the street. Orpha was also given the privilege of seeing five generations as she spent her 80th birthday welcoming her great-great granddaughter, Addilyn.

Orpha and Muckle spent many hours on the river fishing with loved ones, and sitting out front of her best friend Carlene’s porch, watching the traffic in and out. Orpha was a phenomenal quilt maker and has made many quilts at home and the Golden Circle, where she attended regularly in her later years. Often times, you could probably catch her on the bank of the Ohio enjoying nice fishing spot. She enjoyed the small things in life and spent many hours outside practicing softball with her great granddaughter. She will be deeply loved and missed by those who knew her.

Orpha is preceded in death by her parents: Stella and Abe Covert, husband George (Muckle) McBee, daughter and son-in-law Georgetta and Wendel Morris. She is survived by her granddaughters: Kimberly (Jeremy) Knop, Karie Morris, Kristin Morris, and Addilyn Welten, and an extension of family and friends.

Joint services will be held for Orpha and Georgetta at Hardin County Funeral Services on Thursday March 27, 2025 from 10-11:30 AM with a graveside service to follow at Peter’s Creek Cemetery at 12:00