Issie Lee

Issie Iola Lee, of Orange, passed away Monday, March 7, at Kindred Medical Center in Houston, at the age of 71.

Issie was born on June 17, 1944 to Lillian Oriette (Lowe) and Millard Arlington Russell in Marsh Harbour, Abaco Island, The Bahamas. She lived in Texas for the past 49 years, most recently in Ratcliff, with prior stays in Deweyville, Jasper and Lufkin. She was a member of the Ratcliff Baptist Church. Issie spent her years raising her ever-growing family, which some would say would take an army of moms to raise today. In her free time, she enjoyed cooking, fishing, gardening and sewing. Issie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who enjoyed spending time with her family and will be dearly missed.

Issie was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Angela Sawyer; brother, Ira Russell; brother-in-law, David Bethel and sisters-in-law, Jamie Russell and Marcia Russell.

Those who will cherish her memory most are her husband of 56 years, Robert E. Lee; daughters, Pam McClain and husband, Glenn of Deweyville, Connie Russell and husband, Floyd Sawyer of Marsh Harbour, Bahamas and Missy Lee and Butch Brown of Deweyville; sons, Tommy Lee and girlfriend, Truddy Collins of Deweyville, Ricky Lee and wife, Leigh Ann of Carthage, Bobby Lee and wife, Maria of Castle Rock, CO, Jeff Lee and wife, Ashlee of Kenard; sisters, Vadie Javorsky and husband, Ralph of Mexico, Linda Hoffman and husband, Chuck of Missouri, Charlene Bethel of Marsh Harbour,Bahamas, Barbara Simmons of North Carolina, Kathy Bussert of Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, Cheryl Chiavetta and husband, Tony of Florida; brothers, Dan Russell, Wayne Russell and wife, Debbie, Charlie Russell, Troy Russell and wife, Tia, all of of Marsh Harbour and Brent Russell and wife, Dora of Spanish Wells, Bahamas; grandchildren, Mandi and Billy McBain, Stephen and Samantha Lee, Brandon Lee, Haley and Joe Villarreal, Ryan Lee, Will and Somer Parker, Reece Marshall, Jennifer Lee, Jamie Lee, Chris and Lacy McClain, Lauren McClain, Ashlee and Travis Burdine, Stephanie and MJ Levarity, Farrah Russell, Mitchell Brown, Mattie Brown, Reagan Lee and Peighton Lee; great-grandchildren, Austyn, William, Charlotte, Emma, Hagen, Bryson, Lexi, Owen, Bella, Lilli, Acesyn, Easton, Mickenzie, Taylor and Tyler.

She is also survived by a large extended family.

A visitation will be held Thursday, March 10, from 5:00-9:00 pm in the chapel of Dorman Funeral Home, with funeral services on Friday, March 11, at 10:00 am at Dorman Funeral Home. The Rev. John Fortenberry and Richard Bonner will be officiating.

Graveside services will be held in Mount Vernon Cemetery in Ratcliff, at 4:00 pm, with Bob Lacey and Dennis Morgan officiating. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Dorman Funeral Home.

Honoring Issie as pallbearers will be Brandon Lee, Stephen Lee, Ryan Lee, Chris McClain, Mitchell Brown, Reece Marshall, Will Parker, Joe Villarreal, Billy McBain and Travis Burdine. Honorary pallbearers are Glenn McClain, Floyd Sawyer, Butch Brown, Bob McClain, Shawn Barnes, Tommy Carter, Pat Brown, Benny Hobden, Tommy Rooney, Bill Cole, Joe House, Gary Nelms, Greg Bates, Tom Rooney, Mike Rooney, Keith Pearl, Dennis Lee, Dan Lee, Gordon Sawyer, Craig Sawyer and Jimmy Carter.

Condolences may be expressed for the family at www.dormanfuneralhome.com.