Barbara Mae Lee

Barbara Mae Shelton was born in Princeton, West Virginia on January 13, 1932. The daughter of Robert and Helen Shelton, she was one of nine siblings. She attended school in nearby Gary, WV and was a graduate of Gary District High School. She enjoyed growing up in southern West Virginia. She met Johnnie Alvin Lee, Sr. in early 1950 and on October 14th of that year they were united in matrimony. They remained united in marriage until his passing on March 2, 2011, enjoying sixty years together. To this union, a son was born, Johnnie Alvin Lee, Jr. Shortly after their marriage, Barbara, Johnnie and Johnnie, Jr. relocated to Detroit, Michigan. They were long-time residents of the city’s Russell Woods community. Barbara attended nursing school in Detroit and worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse until retirement. Her work sites included Virginia Park Hospital and the Wayne County Jail. The nurturing and care that she offered in her profession was the same that she offered to family, friends and neighbors. They became members of Christ Temple Church pastored by the late Bishop James Gates. They later became members of Straight Gate International Church pastored by Bishop Andrew Merritt. Barbara remained at Straight Gate until she relocated to California to be closer to her son.. In addition to her parents and husband, Barbara was preceded in death by six siblings, her grandson Jay, and all her in-laws, including mother-in-law and father-in-law, Winston and Rosa Lee; brothers-in-law, Bishop Thomas M. Lee, Sr., Elder Carl W. Lee, Sr., and Kenneth Lee; and sisters-in-law, Carol Brown and Alice Williams. She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving son, Johnnie A. Lee, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Mary Tate-Lee; granddaughter, Brandi Steichen (Steven); great grandchildren, Braylen, Micah, and Jade Steichen; brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Emma Shelton; sister, Peggy Hurd; a long-time personal and church friend, Mother Donnie Tate, a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, cousins and friends. In your hands, Oh Lord, we humbly entrust our beloved Barbara Mae Lee. In this life you embraced her with your tender love; deliver her now from every evil and bid her eternal rest. The old order has passed away. Welcome her into Paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping, no pain. Grant that we may hold her memory dear, never bitter for what we have lost nor in regret for the past, but always in hope of the eternal kingdom where you will bring us together again.

Barbara Mae Lee

January 13, 1932 - May 22, 2023