Mary Edna Lee died peacefully in her sleep on October 18, 2019, at the age of 90. She was born on June 1, 1929 in Madill, Ok to Thomas and Lena Alexander. The family of 5, including older siblings Thomas Jr. and Winifred Jean, moved to Bristow, Ok, in 1939 where Mary completed her formal education in the Bristow public school system. Mary was involved in all things music; she was proficient in playing the flute, piano, and organ. While in high school, she was the student conductor of the concert band, and she directed the Bristow Baptist choir. She attended two summer sessions as a student at the Stamps Baxter School of Music in Dallas, Tx, where she met her future husband, also from Bristow - Willie Thomas Lee. Tom and Mary married one day after Mary's high school graduation in 1947, then moved to Dallas, TX, where Tom served as pianist for the Stamps Quartet. One year later, they moved to Anderson, Indiana, where Tom attended Anderson College to become a Church of God denomination ordained minister. In 1948, Mary gave birth to the first of 4 sons - David, followed by Gary (1950), Stephen (1955), and Mark (1959). Mary ministered with Tom in churches in Oklahoma, California, Indiana, and Tennessee, in numerous capacities, including pianist, organist, and Sunday school teacher. In addition to being a faithful and outstanding mother and "preacher's wife", she worked outside the home in various services, including an administrative assistant for a public school principal and for a noted ophthalmologist. She also found time to give piano lessons. Mary was preceded in death by her father and mother, brother, sister, son Stephen Marshall Lee, and grandsons Richard Allen and Christopher James Lee. She is survived by sons David, Gary, and Mark Lee, grandchildren Melissa Rick, Jessica Leben and Eric Lee, and great grandchildren Hanna, Kevin, Emma, and Leah Rick, and Katherine Leben.
Mary never wavered in her gracious and humble service to her husband, her family, or to her church congregations across the land. She has served her God well, and will be greatly missed.