Springfield teacher 'lighting up heaven like she lit up this world'

A fourth-grade teacher at Disney Elementary killed in an accident Saturday on an ice-covered roadway had, just the day before, pointed out the engagement ring she wanted.

Malori J. McGhee, 24, was killed Saturday afternoon after the Nissan Xterra longtime boyfriend Sean Fahrendorf was driving lost control on U.S. 24, just south of Route W, in Monroe City.

The couple met four years ago and were not engaged but had been talking marriage and looking at rings. She confided in friends that she hoped he'd pop the question soon — in front of her students.

"Friday they were going to the jewelry store to finalize everything," said Samantha Tabb, who met McGhee in college. "They were talking about getting married before the end of the year."

The couple were in northeast Missouri this weekend because Fahrendorf planned to go hunting. Friends say McGhee was looking forward to the trip because she planned to hang out in the cabin to read and work on classroom lessons.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the couple was in the Nissan when it traveled into the path of a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Monica Lloyd, 39, of Monroe City. She and two children were transported to a local hospital. Lloyd and Alexia Lloyd, 12, suffered minor injuries and Jacob Lloyd, 3, suffered serious injuries. All three were listed as wearing a seatbelt.

The Chevrolet hit the passenger's side of the Nissan, where McGhee was sitting, the patrol reported.

Fahrendorf, 23, of Springfield, suffered minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Hannibal Regional Hospital. McGhee was pronounced dead at the scene. She was listed as wearing a seat belt.

"God called Malori home yesterday. As horrific as it is, she is with our Lord and savior for eternity. She is lighting up heaven like she lit up this world," Fahrendorf wrote, in a Facebook post. "She had the biggest heart I had ever seen, she loved everyone, she had no enemies, and for some crazy reason she loved me unconditionally."

News of the fatal wreck spread quickly through McGhee's close circle of friends and the entire Disney school community, where Principal Lynne Miller said the "dynamic" teacher made an indelible mark in a relatively short period of time. She was hired in August.

Parents of the 24 students in McGhee's fourth-grade class were contacted Sunday and a team of nearly 15 counselors, administrators and other support staff arrived early Monday to greet parents and comfort students, some of whom wrote notes to McGhee's family.

"She left her heartprint here," Miller said.

Each morning, McGhee stood in the doorway of her classroom to welcome the children as they arrived. On Monday, Miller was there in her place to give each child a hug. Some of the children were crying, others wanted to share memories.

"We talked about what a gift Miss McGhee had left them and why she was special," she said.

Miller said McGhee quickly bonded with fellow teachers and gained a reputation for demanding a lot from students "in a loving way." She said at a cross country meet, the young teacher threw off her shoes and ran alongside students.

According to friends, McGhee had many teaching job offers but wanted to work in Springfield. Her obit stated she was "in the first semester of her dream job."

On McGhee's Facebook page, she posted photos of herself with children at various events, including a skating party. On one photo she wrote: "The best investment a teacher can make in their student is getting to know them as a person. #BestJobInTheWorld."

The school is in the early stages of planning a memorial to honor McGhee.

Rhonda Mammen, manager of guidance and counseling for the district, said there was "a lot of sadness" among the students Monday and many of the teachers in the building were also upset.

"She definitely made an impact on the building," she said. "The adults are needing supporting, too."

Emily Kozlowski and Kayla Warren said their friend was drawn to help students who were struggling to learn or to fit in and she worried about the ones with a rough home life.

In college, McGhee worked as a nanny and regularly tutored children at her kitchen table.

"She was always doing something to make someone's life better," Warren said.

Kozlowski said McGhee was fiercely loyal, served as the peacemaker if there was a disagreement between their friends and didn't need much prompting to shed a tear.

"Her red, fiery curly hair described her personality," Kozlowski said.

The 2010 graduate of Clinton High School recently graduated from Missouri State University, where she cultivated a close-knit group of friends. Casey Brummett, 23, described her as the "mama" of the group.

"She was the one to set someone up on a date and then call immediately after to ask when the wedding would be. She loved fiercely and without hesitation, and that's what made her who she is," Brummet wrote in an email to the News-Leader. "Everyone knew when she walked into the room, she demanded acknowledgement of her presence."

Brummett said in their circle, McGhee was known as the one who "never ran out of energy or love for other people."

"It's painful for those of us left here without her, but we know where she is, and that we will see her again," she wrote.

Ali Wilson, 23, said McGhee had a way of making others "feel loved, important and beautiful."

"Her presence was contagious as well as her laugh," she wrote to the news-Leader. "She always lifted you up and made you feel unstoppable."

An obit posted by the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home in Clinton stated that McGhee was a member of LifePoint Church in Ozark and a representative for Juice Plus. Tabb said McGhee was so dedicated to eating healthy that she'd encourage friends to look up calories and avoid fattening foods.

"She is like the most beautiful person — ever," Tabb said. "She had the most infectious personality. When she put her mind to something, she'd totally get it done. She was passionate about everything."

McGhee left a large behind a large family, including two sisters. Her obit mentioned she was survived by her grandparents, her boyfriend and his parents, aunts and uncles, cousins and "last, but not least, her 'babies' from Disney Elementary School."

She was an avid fan of both the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs. On her Facebook page, there are many photos of her in Royals blue, including some cheering on the team at Kauffman Stadum.

There were many photos of McGhee with her longtime boyfriend and with her college friends.

"No matter what kind of day she was having, she was so excited to see you," Kozlowski said. "You could call her anytime of the day or night and she'd be there for you."

Funeral services

The funeral for Majori McGhee is planned for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Northeast Baptist Church, at the corner of Seventh Street and Lincoln Street in Clinton. Rev. Joey Conway will officiate. 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Northeast Baptist Church.

Services are under the direction of the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home in Clinton. Burial will be in Englewood Cemetery. 

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Sara and Savanna McGhee College Education Fund, and these donations may be left in care of the funeral home.