Lillie Lee-Burchett

It is with great sadness and a lifetime of fond memories that we say our goodbyes to Lillie Lee Burchett of Norman, Oklahoma, who passed away from this life on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the age of 86. Lillie was born Shun-shin Lee in Taiwan on March 30, 1938, to Jui Cheng Lee and Chen-yan Lee, both of whom have preceded her in death.
She leaves behind a legacy of love. Lillie is survived by her husband of 63 years, Daniel A. Burchett; two sons, Daniel A. Burchett Jr. and wife Angela of Houston, Texas, and David A. Burchett and wife Sherri of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Devin Burchett, Benjamin Gaston, Hope Risher, and Landon Risher; along with numerous siblings, a host of other loving family, including the Lees of Taiwan and Burchetts all over the United States, and many loyal friends made throughout her life.
Lillie spent two years in nursing school in Taiwan before marrying Daniel on April 18, 1961. After some years, she and her husband found themselves in Okinawa. It was here Lillie joined the Red Cross and worked at the Camp Kue Army Hospital. She was assigned to the recovery ward and other locations to care for fallen Vietnam Veterans. She spent two years in Okinawa before coming to the United States. Lillie's Red Cross volunteering took her to Fort Campbell Kentucky, Schofield Barracks and Tripler Medical Center in Hawaii, and Fort Sill Hospital in Oklahoma, as well as at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City.
For over 40 years, Lillie dedicated much of her time to her volunteer work. She initially joined the Red Cross out of a sense of wanting to help people. "I enjoy the people and their lives," she said. "I like working with people." As if that isn't already an impressive body of volunteer work, Lillie next found herself in Korea in the mid to late 1980s. She was at Camp Walker where they had no American Red Cross volunteer program. Armed with her years of experience as a volunteer, Lillie started a program on the base. Her service and creation of a Red Cross volunteer program earned her the 19th Support Command's "Helping Hands Award". She was the third person to ever receive the honor.
Lillie always put other people first. She continued her work as an LPN at Shriner's Children's Hospital in Hawaii for three years. She attended many Red Cross workshops and training programs over the years and took college classes at Austin Peay State University, and Hawaii University. Though her volunteer work was a meaningful focus in her life, nothing brought Lillie more pride and joy than her family, all of whom she adored and cherished. She fully dedicated herself to the happiness and wellbeing of the people she loved, often showing her affection through her fabulous cooking. Everything she made tasted like magic, and it was evident that all of her dishes, from her fried rice and noodles, to her famous bulgogi, were cooked with love.
As we reflect upon the rich, storied life of such a beautiful soul, let us remember Lillie Lee Burchett for her unwavering commitment to other people, namely her beloved family. She was an amazing wife and mother, a doting grandmother, and a loyal friend and comrade to many. She will be dearly missed, and her memory will live forever in our hearts.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Lillie Lee-Burchett, please visit our floral store.