Cora Lee Hill- McGhee was born on December 7, 1938, in Chipley, Florida to the late William and Rosetta Hill. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Elyria, Ohio where she spent her early years before moving to Cleveland where she resided until she passed away peacefully at the age of 87 surrounded by her family.

Cora accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age at Elyria Baptist Church in Elyria, Ohio.

Cora was a curious and intelligent child with a passion for reading. Her love for reading became her escape from the world and as an adult, she would read different genres of books and enjoy her weekly trips to the public library where she was able to peruse the shelves for her favorite author, James Patterson.

Cora dreamed of having a career in Nursing after graduating from East Technical High School in Cleveland in 1954. Due to family circumstances beyond her control, Cora’s dream of nursing was slightly deferred.

Cora went to live with her extended family JT and Willie Lee Patterson, who taught her many lessons in life, supported her throughout her adolescent years, and bestowed much love and kindness until her marriage to Joddie McGhee.

In 1956, Cora married Joddie McGhee, who was in the United States Air Force stationed at Bunker Hill Air Force Base in Peru, Indiana. From this union, 6 children were born – Anita, Veronica, Wardell, Yolonda, Derrick and Wendy.

Wanting a better quality of life for their children, Cora and Joddie moved from Cleveland to Warrensville Heights where they became one of the first African American homeowners on their street.

Cora enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom while her children were growing up. When a new middle school was built more than 1 mile from her home, Cora and her neighbors fought the Warrensville Heights School District for busing to ensure the safety of her children as well as all the children in the city of Warrensville Heights.

Cora worked for the State of Ohio for 30 years in a variety of departments before retiring from Western Reserve Psychiatric Hospital in Northfield, Ohio. Cora took pride in her position where she wore many hats. One of the duties that she loved most was decorating the hospital and coordinating the annual Christmas tree lighting event, a tradition that brought joy to the patients each year.

After retirement in 1999, Cora enjoyed attending monthly luncheons catching up with her friends, traveling to visit her children and occasionally pressing her luck by attending bus trips to the casino.

Cora was preceded in death by her parents, William and Rosetta Hill; Siblings James Guest, William Redic, and Paulette Redic; Granddaughter Breyana Presley and Great Granddaughter Janiya Brown.

Cora leaves to cherish her memory her six children Anita Christon (Boston, MA), Veronica McGhee, Wardell McGhee (Daniela)(Leesville, LA), Yolonda McGhee, Derrick McGhee (Yolonda), Wendy McGhee-Jones (Eric), Brother Bernard Patterson and one Cousin Mary Vincent of St. Louis, MO.

Cora was the proud Grandparent of 12 Grandchildren; Kevin, LaTanya, Erika, Meghan, Jeremy, Keyana, Derrianya, Brittany, Wardell Tehron, Cameron, Phalyn, Sun’Shynnemoon ; three bonus / 10 Great Grand Children; Keyonna, Devon, Kamari, Ayden, Kayden, Jeremy Jr., Sebastian, Zayden, Nova, Isabella; three bonus / 2 Great Great Grandchildren; Messiah and Marlow; and a host of relatives and friends.