Charita Lee

Charita Lee

Charita Marie Lee was born October 16, 1954, to the late Norwood Henry Lee, Sr. and Lucille (Elizabeth) Brooks Lee. She went home to be with God on October 22, 2025, where she has undoubtedly found her peace. She was preceded in death by her younger brother, Norwood H. Lee, Jr., "Butch".

With country roots from both Caroline County, VA, and Wise, NC, Charita was born in Richmond, VA. She attended West End Elementary School, Binford Middle School, and John Marshall High School before being bused to Huguenot High School, where she received her high school diploma. Before becoming widely known as Deputy Lee, or "Lee", Charita worked at the Richmond Coliseum and also at F&M Bank. Charita was employed as a deputy sheriff for over 25 years. She worked as a deputy sheriff in Richmond City for two years before taking employment with Henrico County Sheriff's Department, where she retired after 23 years of service. She referred to the inmates as her children and called herself a professional babysitter. While she was a stern deputy who did not tolerate any mess, she definitely had a soft spot for "her children", and would help them where she could – because she respected them as human beings. When she was not babysitting adults, Charita loved fishing. When she did not have a rod in her hand, she had a spade. She had a passion for gardening, loved flowers of all kinds, and she had a serious green thumb. From March to November, you could find her tending her garden, priding herself on having the nicest yard on the block. Charita also loved slot machines. On any given day, she'd be at Sunny's, BP, or Rosie's, testing out her skills. Charita LOVED animals. The family would often joke that she was the female Doctor Dolittle. Neighbors would often bring her strays, because they knew she would either keep them or ensure that they found a safe home. During the holidays, she shared her baking talents with family and friends, who looked forward to her mouth-watering Vanilla Crispies (cookies) and her world-renowned pound cake! Charita could not have been more proud when Stacy, her baby girl, went on to become a judge on the Henrico Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, continuing the Lee women's legacy of service to the County. Charita is survived by her daughter, the Honorable Stacy E. Lee; son-in-law, Orlando A. Woodson; grandsons, Felix and Phoenix Woodson; sister, Rochelle B. Lee; nephews, Nygel Isaiah and Myles Carlos Irving Lee; aunts, Rosemary and Geraldine Phillips; and a host of relatives and friends. She can be viewed on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Joseph Jenkins, Jr. Funeral Home, located at 2011 Grayland Ave. Richmond, VA 23220. Homecoming Services will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 11 a.m.