Sydney Lamb McGahee

Sydney Lamb McGahee, 82, loving wife of the late Maurice McGahee, entered into her eternal rest late Friday night, June 23, 2023 at Doctors Hospital in Augusta. Services to celebrate her life will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 3:00PM Tuesday afternoon, June 27, 2023, with the Reverends Chad Watkins and Russell Davis officiating.  The family will receive friends from 1:30 – 3:00PM Tuesday afternoon, June 27, 2023 at James Funeral Home prior to the service.

A native of Jefferson County, Sydney was born to the late Ruth Johnson Lamb and the late Harry Edward Lamb and was a life-long resident of Wrens.  After graduating in 1959 from Wrens High School, she attended Augusta College and graduated in 1962 from Barrett School of Nursing.  She was immediately employed by McDuffie County Hospital, then Thomson Manor Inc. where she served as Director of Nursing, after which she worked, and retired from, Jefferson County Service Center. Sydney was a member of Wrens United Methodist Church, Friends of McCollum Library, American Nurses Association, Georgia Nurses Association, Barrett School of Nursing Alumni, Center Directors Association of Georgia, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and the John Franklin Wren Chapter of NSDAR. Being community minded, she served on the Wrens City Council from 1978 to 2007 and was the first female elected to public office in Wrens. She also chaired several other committees.   Sydney found comfort and relaxation in working in her yard and tending her flowers with her beloved dachshund Breeze, her current constant companion.  Known as being a glitzy sharp-dresser with everything matching, for her large earrings and massive collection of shoes, Sydney’s dress was an outward display of her flamboyant, larger-than-life personality. And, of course, to have that look, she had to shop—a lot—enjoying every minute of it! Being very social and gregarious, she loved to have a good time and a good party with friends.  She was not one to shy away from anything and always spoke her mind—no doubts about her expectations and where you stood.  Sydney was very protective of her family and loved them beyond words.  In her writings, she wrote “My funeral is to be a celebration of life; mine was great! I don’t want any tears of sorrow and no sadness—only laughter and joy.” Having touched everyone in the community in some way through her many works, the void left by the passing of this very unique, colorful icon can never be replaced but her memory will forever be kept in our hearts.

Those left to cherish her memories include her sister, Harriett “Jerry” Lamb Evans; nephew, Harry Lamb Evans (Michelle); great nephew, Rabun Thomas Evans; step-son, Berny McGahee (Paula) and step-grandson, Neal McGahee.  She was also preceded in death by her “fur babies”, Cricket, Oscar and Scruffy.  Serving as Honorees will be members of the John Franklin Wren Chapter of NSDAR.

Per Sydney’s request, the family strongly suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions honoring Sydney McGahee be made to Thomas Jefferson Academy, 2264 Hwy 1 N, Louisville GA 30434.

The family expresses their heartfelt thanks to her caregivers, Daisy Battle and Lashunga Hannah, as well as to the staff of Agape Hospice for their loving, compassionate and professional care.