Lydia Mcghee

Lydia Kathryn (Harlien) McGhee, 63, of Belton, passed away at 12:00 a.m. June
14 th , 2019. She fought a tough battle against Glioblastoma Multiforme Brain
Cancer for two years.
Funeral services for Lydia will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 10:00 AM
at the Dossman Funeral Home chapel in Belton with Dr. Alan Stevens of Baylor-
Scott and White in Temple officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 PM at Toliver
Cemetery near Hamilton, Texas. A visitation for family and friends will be held on
Tuesday evening from 6-8 PM at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton.
She loved her family and was an amazing mother, Granny Lala, wife, sister, aunt,
and friend to everyone. Lydia touched many people’s lives, and all would agree
that she was kind, caring, and beautiful inside and out.
She was born to Nora Neville (Hamilton) Harlien and Boyce Noel Harlien on July
9 th , 1955, in Texas City, TX. She spent her childhood in Texas City, until 1968 when
her family moved to Hamilton, TX. She spent her teenage and early adult years in
Hamilton and raised four children. Her children were the focus of her life and she
sacrificed everything for their health, wellbeing, and safety. During her time in
Hamilton, she was involved in several community organizations and active in her
children’s school endeavors and events. In Hamilton, she was employed by both
Children and Adult Protective Services.
In May 1998, she moved to Belton to start a new chapter in her life.
Lydia married H. Richard McGhee on December 30 th , 1998. From 1999 to 2006 she
was employed by the Central Texas Council of Governments, and served as the
Executive Assistant to both Mr. A.C. Johnson and Mr. Jim Reed, CTCOG Executive
Directors. After her time as Executive Assistant, she returned to work in human
services and served as Director of Marketing and Assistance for Hill Country
Community Action Agency. During her time at Hill Country she was instrumental
in engaging with community partners to improve the lives of Central Texans. She
dedicated her life to helping her community, and it was in this role that she drew
the most satisfaction because she was able to impart her kindness and empathy
to others. She retired from Hill Country in December 2016.

Lydia and Richard led a dynamic and fulfilling life together. She enjoyed traveling
from coast to coast; the Virginia Mountains and San Francisco were her favorite

destinations. Her favorite activities also included spending time with friends and
family, boating on Lake Belton, nurturing her native Texas landscape gardens, and
shopping for shoes.

Lydia was preceeded in death by her parents Neville and Boyce Harlien, and
brother Walter “Butchy” Luce.

Lydia is survived by her husband of 20+ years Richard McGhee of Moffat; 4
daughters Michele “Shelly” Craig Walker and husband Justin of Montague, Texas,
Misty Craig Boatwright and husband Colby of Hamilton, Sara McGhee and fiance
Graeme of Atlanta, Georgia; and Jennifer McGhee Kelleher and husband Kevin
Kelleher of Columbus, Ohio; 2 sons Charles Kevin Craig and wife Courtney Craig,
Christopher “Chris” Craig and wife Jennifer, all of Hamilton; 9 Grandchildren
Preston, JonDavid, and Chaz Cunningham all of Bowie, Texas; Landry and husband
Justin Millican, Marley Boatwright, Kasidy Craig, Kenedy Craig, Brandi Batson and
husband Michael, and Blain Parrish all of Hamilton, Texas. 4 Great grandchildren,
Braycin Parrish, Cooper and Aubree Batson, and Presley Millican all of Hamilton,
Texas. 2 sisters Lecia Adams and husband Joe, Lana Hassell and husband Vernon,
all of Abilene, 1 brother Boyce Bill Harlien, of Abilene, and sister in law Carol Luce,
from New Braunfels. Numerous nieces and nephews that she loved.
Lydia had a life well lived and will be missed dearly by friends and family.
The family is so appreciative of the care given to her by Dr. Fonkem and the
Baylor Scott & White neuro-oncology team, and by Ms. Annie McCall and her staff
at Park Place Manor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in
memory of Lydia Kathryn McGhee are made to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for
Caregiving by going to www.rosalynncarter.org and selecting “Support RCI”.