Mrs. Essie Lee

The Life And Memories Of Essie Lee: Essie B. Lee was born in Eads, Tennessee on June 7, 1938 to the late Elgin and Marie Matthews Wade. She was the third of ten children. Charles Wade Sr. known as Chuck, who preceded her in death, was the first born child and Curtisstine Young was the second born child. Essie proudly and loving referred to herself to her younger siblings as “your big sister.” If she called you and made contact with you, she would usually say, “I just wanted to hear your voice and tell you that I love you.” If she called and didn’t make contact, she would usually leave a message saying, “Hi, this is your Big Sister Essie. We’ll miss Essie very much. Essie was raised by her mother’s brother, O.C. Matthews and his wife Victoria, a childless couple, who lived in Douglass, Tennessee where Essie grew up and was educated. Essie met and married, Lawrence Shannon. To this union, one son, her only child was born. His name was Vegas Artez, but was known as “Reggie.” They both preceded her in death. Essie moved to Detroit, MI in 1961 and to St. Louis, MO in 1976. She reconnected with Armour Lee, a childhood sweet heart and soul mate. They were married on December 21, 1981. She removed the “step” from step-children and accepted Armour’s seven children as her own. He was a member at St. Mark Grand Lodge of St. Louis and she was a member of the Eastern Star. They traveled with their organizations and had an enjoyable life together. While living in St. Louis, they were members of the Morning Star Baptist Church, which fellowshipped with Third New Hope of Detroit, MI. for many years. Essie sang in the choir and taught Sunday School Classes. Essie and her husband retired from their life’s work in St. Louis and decided to move back to Tennessee, which is where they were born. They moved to Covington, Tennessee and joined the St. John M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. Autrell Williams in Atoka, Tennessee. Illnesses began to attack them. Armour succumbed to his illness on November 22, 2012, which was Thanksgiving Day. In November, 2013, Essie returned to Michigan where four of her siblings live. She lived in the Ellis Manor Apartments in Detroit, MI. She made new friends and participated in and enjoyed many of the activities provided in the facility. Essie departed this life on December 8, 2014.

Mrs. Essie Lee

June 7, 1938 - December 8, 2014