Mary Lee

Mary Lee Ross Lee of Lexington, North Carolina passed Tuesday, September 17th in home. Mrs. Lee was the daughter the late Lee Denton and Mary Potter Ross of McMinnville, Tennessee. She is survived by her husband, Charles White Lee, and her two daughters: MaryAnn Lee Wallace and Elizabeth Lee Oates. MaryAnn L. Wallace currently resides with her husband, Derek John Wallace, in Oakville, Ontario. Their daughter, Catherine, is the youngest of Mary Lee's granddaughters. Her parents had the pleasure of announcing her engagement to Rys Chapple of Lincoln, England this July. Elizabeth L. Oates, Mary Lee's younger daughter, is married to Christopher Scott Oates also originally from Lexington. They currently reside in Greensboro. Their daughters are Mary Oates Neill and Anna Oates Smith. Mary and her husband, Robert Lee Neill III, reside in Greensboro with their son James Robert Neill. The couple is expecting their second son in November. Anna Oates Smith is mother to Mary Lee's youngest great-grandson, Oliver Scott Smith. Mary Lee was educated at the University of Tennessee where she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. She graduated with a BA in education and worked as a speech pathologist for three years before the arrival of their first child. Mary Lee later went back to school, passed the CPA exam, and proceeded to work with Turlington and Company of Lexington in Accountancy. Mrs. Lee actively participated in her community, serving on the board of directors for the Dutch club and as an officer in garden club. Charles and she have sponsored numerous children over the last 40 years through Christian Children's Fund. Mary Lee was especially well-known for her creativity. She enjoyed all needlework crafts, sewing and baking and even made curtains for many firms at the High Point furniture market. She was actively involved in several Lexington social clubs including the Lexington Garden Club, the Charity League and the bridge club. Mary Lee and her husband were also members of the First Presbyterian Church where she will be honoured at a service next Tuesday, September 24th at 2:30. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested all donations be made to the Wounded Warriors fund honouring Veterans wounded in active service.