THERE ARE times in our lives when things seem dark, the possible seems impossible, and surrender seems the only option. But there is also hope if one looks for the light. Sernobia McGee always looks for the light, and as often as she can, she tries to be the light herself. Many around town know McGee for many different things. McGee is the youngest of seven children, the mother of Alexandria and Ariel, and grandmother to Jeremiah, Jace, JaRiah, and Jr, whom she affectionately calls her “4G Squad.” She is also the director of admissions at Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton, an 11- year breast cancer survivor, a talented singer, an ordained minister, a former city alderman, and a continuous doer of good things. McGee has a heart for many things and tries to do as much as she can for all she loves.
Three dollars and a prayer
Single mothers are among the many things that McGee has a heart for. As a single mother herself, she knows of the struggles they face day in and day out. In that struggle, McGee remembers a dark time when she received hope through God’s grace.
“I remember one day in particular,” she explained. “It was a Wednesday, and I got paid on Friday. I worked in a local factory, earning only $7.25 an hour while raising two kids. I only had $3.87 to feed my children until payday. I went to Save-A-Lot and bought two boxes of beef-flavored rice, a can of beef stew, a pack of brown gravy mix to make the beef stew thicker, and a bag of brown ‘n serve rolls. All of that came to $3.62. That meal helped us get through until Friday when I got paid. It also became their favorite meal, which they still serve their children. I didn’t share that story with them until they were adults. They were my children, and my job was to care for them. It was also that day I asked God to turn my situation around. And if I could, I would find a way to help other single parents.”
True to her word, she has worked to share with others the grace she received. McGee has coordinated countless back-to-school supply drives and coat drives for the winter months. She also sponsors children from the schools she attended each year to receive a yearbook.
“It’s a big deal in school to receive a yearbook. You never want to see a child just sitting over to the side without a yearbook to be signed by friends,” she said.
McGee also founded and created the Facebook group “You’ve Been Crowned.” The group works to encourage, uplift, and empower women through good deeds and kind words. Starting with just a handful of followers, the group now reaches thousands worldwide.
“‘You’ve Been Crowned’ is the Facebook group God gave me,” she explained. “The vision came during the quarantine. He gave me step-by-step instructions to create the page. Now, I have almost 4000 members [from] all over the world. We just encourage and empower all women. I had no idea how it takes the world by force, but it has resonated with so many women, and it’s a blessing to support other women battling things.”
A lady of firsts
Whether she realizes it or not, McGee is blazing a trail for women of color in Tullahoma. She is the first African American female ever appointed as a Tullahoma alderman. McGee is the first African American female to serve as chaplain under the ordinance of the Tullahoma Police Department. Ordained in 2001, she also was the first female to get ordained in the Elk River District Association for Missionary Baptist Churches. Her time as an alderman allowed her to further her work in the community, which she said she valued.
“It was so rewarding,” said McGee. “There were times it was challenging, but I learned so much. And I’ve always been a people person, so it gave me the platform to meet people I wouldn’t have otherwise met. I enjoyed my time serving as an alderman.”
McGee added that serving as an alderman brought out something greater in herself.
“Growing up, I never saw myself working in that capacity,” she said. “My dream as a little girl was to be a Solid Gold Dancer and marry Erik Estrada. While serving, I never considered myself a politician. Most politicians advance their platform at the expense of the people; I wanted to advance the people at the expense of the platform.”
Just the beginning
McGee is just getting started in her work in the community of Tullahoma. She has many plans for improving and doing good in her hometown. Doing good daily, McGee said that she hopes to leave a positive impact in whatever she does.
“The Bible tells us that the power of life or death lies in our tongue,” she said. “So we must speak kindly to people because we never know what they’re going through. What you say and how you say it does matter. I want my life to speak of my faith and heart for people.” GN
