Salina Geraldine McBee

Salina Geraldine "Jerry" McBee, 93, passed away peacefully at her Albuquerque home on the afternoon of June 9, 2026. She was born on January 8, 1933, to Wesley Green Brown and Iva Fay Coleman Brown in the ranching community of Roswell, New Mexico. As the sixth of nine children, Jerry developed a keen sense of resilience early in life, becoming a force of nature whose deep love and strength touched everyone around her. The family later left Roswell and bought a ranch near Grenville, New Mexico. After her mother's death June 25, 1951, Jerry moved to Raton, New Mexico, with her younger siblings.

While living in Raton, NM, Jerry met the love of her life, James Marshall (J.M.) McBee upon his discharge from the Army. The two were married on September 16th, 1952, and continued to live in Raton till moving to Carlsbad, NM in 1955. In 1957 they moved to Albuquerque, NM where they lived out their lives together. Jerry's strength and perseverance was undeniably demonstrated by having 6 children in 8 years. Notably one of her greatest skill sets was being able to vocalize anything she thought someone needed to hear, especially if that someone was one of her children.

After moving to Albuquerque, Jerry worked for several years as the manager of Larry's Drive-In. She later took her leadership skills and gift for connecting with people to JC Penney, where she served as lead associate in the fabric and sewing notions department. Her extensive knowledge of fabrics and sewing techniques helped establish her as a valued member of the department for over 40 years. While working at Penney's Jerry would always take her vacation time, to work at the state fair, to further supplement the family's income. Jerry loved to sew, a skill she first learned on a Singer treadle sewing machine, while growing up on the family's Ranch in Grenville, NM. By age 40, she had mastered machine embroidery on a Bernina and earned admiration for her beautiful, intricate designs. Jerry retired after 45 years at Penney's but was never one to be idle so she went on to work at Montessori School, assisting where needed, becoming like a grandmother to the children and staff. Jerry had previously been a member of the ABWA American Business Women's Association and the New Mexico Cowbelles. Just like her siblings, Jerry was proud of her ranching heritage as they were descendants of cattle ranchers who helped start the livestock industry in New Mexico in the mid 1800's.

Jerry loved her savior, Jesus Christ, and attended Hermosa Baptist Church with her family for many years. She was preceded in death by her mother, Iva Fay Coleman (1951); her father, Wesley Green Brown (1961); her husband, J.M. McBee (1996); her son, EN2 US Coast Guard Virgal Lewis McBee (2002); her son-in-law, John "Johnny" Alan Lee (2012); and five of her siblings.

Jerry's memory will be cherished and kept alive by her family: son Retired LCDR US Coast Guard Larry McBee, wife Judy (Rio Rancho, NM); daughter Lorena Fay Tegge, husband Buster (Eugene, OR); son Retired SFC E-7 US Army Special Forces Jim McBee, wife Ann (Glenville, NY); daughter Kay McBee Lee (Alamogordo, NM); daughter Perian McBee (Albuquerque, NM); brother Wayne Brown (Raton, NM); sister Dorothy Baldwin (Arizona); brother Anthony Gresham (Tucumcari, NM); 15 Grandchildren; 30 Great Grandchildren, as well as many other family members and friends.

Jerry was a woman of remarkable determination and strength whose motto was to "always do nothing less than your best". She did that and more as our family's matriarch and hero, all while radiating her beautiful smile. She left this earth on her own terms and in her own time. Godspeed to you Jerry, Mother, Mom, Mommie, Grandma, and Granny, we will miss you and think of you often till we meet again.