Wilda Jo Lee

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Wilda Jo Lee. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and member of the Bishop, TX community.

She was born on March 31, 1932, in Raymondville, Texas along with her identical twin sister Jean. Jo passed away on October 19, 2024. She graduated from Raymondville High School, and Texas A & I University. While at Texas A & I she met and married her husband of 71 years, Dr. De Witt Lee, Jr. Along with her husband they lived in Amarillo, TX for 3 years while her husband served in the Air Force. They then moved to Bishop, TX in 1959 where her husband opened a dental practice and faithfully served the surrounding community for over 40 years.

She was a respected leader in the Bishop, TX community. She was active in numerous community clubs and organizations such as the History Study Club, and the Bishop Chamber of Commerce, having received the Outstanding Citizen Award. She was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bishop, sang in the choir, served in numerous leadership positions, but none more rewarding than serving on the Evangelism Committee and visiting the homebound. She was a faithful volunteer for the American Cancer Society in transporting patients. She was a conscientious homemaker, taught homemaking at Bishop High School, served on the Bishop School Board, and enjoyed hosting parties and holiday celebrations for friends and family in their home.

Of all her accomplishments, nothing made her prouder than her family.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents: Lonnie D. Cole Sr. and Effie Louise (Hall) Cole; her husband, Dr. DeWitt T. Lee, Jr; 3 brothers: Cornell, Lonnie Jr., and Billy Ray Cole; and 3 sisters:

Catherine Doan, Sylvia Carmen, and Jean Tormey.

Jo leaves behind a grateful family who've been blessed immensely by her life and example. She is survived by her three children: Marsha Mackerer (Richard); Greg Lee (Cindy); Doug Lee (Laura); 6 grandchildren: Danny True (Christin), Grayson Lee (Morgan), Britney Lee, Timothy Lee (Jessica), Nathan Lee (Lindzi), and Aaron Lee (fiancée Hannah Cole); and 7 great-grandchildren.

A chapel service by Rev. John Valles will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, Kingsville, Texas. A graveside service and interment will follow at Restland Memorial Cemetery, Bishop, Texas; followed by a celebration of life and fellowship at FUMC, Bishop, Texas.

A special thanks to The Viera Senior Living staff in Corpus Christi, and other truly selfless private caregivers. Family suggests memorials to The American Heart Association or The American Cancer Society.