Willie Lewis ‘Skeeter’ Magby

(FLINT, Mich.) Willie Lewis Magby “Skeeter”, 80, of Flint, Mich., died Aug. 29, 2023, at Genesys Regional Medical Center of Grand Blanc, Mich., after a temporary illness.
Skeeter became the main barber in the community known as New Town on Seymour Drive. Skeeter graduated from the Randolph County Training School. He was on the RCTS Bulldogs football team. While attending school, he worked part-time downtown in Roanoke at a barber shop where he would shine the customers’ shoes. When he moved to Flint, he was employed at General Motors for several years until his retirement.
Skeeter was a member of the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, where his father, Rev. Cullen Magby served as pastor. Along with his brothers Moses and Curley, the three of them sang on the local radio station in Roanoke with their father delivering a short sermon. Later, Skeeter became affiliated with the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Willie Lewis Magby was born Oct. 21, 1942, to the late Rev. Cullen and Annie Lee (Brady) Magby in Anniston. Later, the family moved to Roanoke. He married the late Teresa (McCombs) of Flint. Also, he was married to his former wife, Nadine (Barnett) Magby, of Flint (originally from Roanoke) who is the mother of their daughter, Shalonie.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Curley Magby; three sisters; Sarah Magby, Mary Magby and Gertie (Magby) Hill; three nephews; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Skeeter leaves to cherish his memories a loving daughter, Shalonie Magby of Flint; three brothers, Moses Magby of Sugarhill, Ga.; Rev. Charlie (Shirley) Magby and Joe (Kelley) Magby of Roanoke; two sisters, Rebecca (Lovell) Willis of Opelika and Daffie Dillard of Roanoke; a brother-in-law, Leon Hill; and other relatives and friends.