Mildred W. Lee | Eastern North Carolina Now

Died: September 9, 2017

    Mrs. Mildred Ward Lee, age 97, formerly a resident of 1838 Carolina Avenue, Washington and later a resident of Spring Arbor of Greenville, went to be with her Lord on Saturday morning September 9, 2017.

    Mrs. Lee was born in Martin County on August 5, 1920, daughter of the late Marion Burras Ward and Agnes Hodges Ward. She was Valedictorian of the 1938 graduating class of Bear Grass High School and graduated from Meredith College, in Raleigh, N.C. in 1942, where she received her teaching degree in elementary education. On June 22, 1943, she married Ralph Arnett Lee, Sr., who preceded her in death on August 15, 2005. She retired in 1983, after teaching 27 years in Martin and Beaufort Counties.

    Mrs. Lee was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Washington, N.C. where she served as a Sunday School teacher, Secretary of the Alter Guild, Secretary of the Women's Society, an Administrative board member, Chairman of the Commission on Worship Committee, choir member, and a member of the Lucille Carter Circle. She received a Special Missions Award from the United Methodist Church Women's Society. Mrs. Lee was also a member of the Pamlico Garden Club and the Bittersweet Supper Club.

    She held offices in the local chapters of the NC Retired School Personnel Association (NCRSPA), Association of Classroom Educators (ACE), and was district officer in the Association of Classroom Teachers (ACT). She was a member of North Carolina Retired State Personnel (NCRSP), and served as legislative chairmen on local and district levels. Mrs. Lee was a member of the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR), Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG), and American Association of Retired Personal (AARP).

    Mrs. Lee volunteered in her community with the Red Cross, served on the Beaufort County Board of the American Cancer Society and the Mental Health Board, and served as co-chairman for the rural area of Washington, N.C. She received honors from the Beaufort County Board of the American Cancer Society for notable service in its 1984 Crusade to Conquer Cancer and received a certificate of appreciation from the American Red Cross for services to the community.

    Mrs. Lee loved spending time with friends and family, working in and sharing flowers and vegetables from her yard, was an avid reader, traveler and loved UNC basketball.

    She is survived by her children: Jane Lee Cooke (Wayne) of Wilson, N.C., Cindy Lee Jones (Charlie) of Sanford, N.C., Betsy Lee Hodges (Kyle) of Grimesland, N.C., and Ralph "Randy" Arnett Lee, Jr (Bonnie) of Williamston, N.C.: her grandchildren: Ellen Marie Cooke Barkley of Wilson, N.C., Patrick Lee Cooke (Jennifer) of Pinetops, N.C., Charles Nicholas Jones (Tracy) of Sanford, N.C., Trent Lee Jones (Emily) of Newton, N.C., Elizabeth Hodges Perkins (Rusty) of Richmond ,Va., Millee Hodges Pruitt (Matt) of Graham, N.C., Ralph "Trey" Arnett Lee, III. of Greenville, N.C., Shane Vincent (Vicki) of Robinson, TX., Shannon Vincent Boyles (Dixon) of Texarkana, TX., 15 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

    In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Lee is preceded in death by two sisters, Louise Ward Gurkin and Hattie Ward Meyer, and three brothers, Hugh Burras Ward, Marion Clyde Ward, and Lester Gray Ward.

    The family will receive friends at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington, N.C. Tuesday, September 12, 2017 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am and a memorial service will be held after visitation from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm in the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home officiated by her grandson, Pastor Trent Jones, of Christ Church of Lincolnton, N.C. A private family burial will be held at a later time.

    The family extends appreciation to the staff at Spring Arbor of Greenville for their love and care of our Mother for the past two years.

    Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

    On-line condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Lee family.