
I was about 14 years old when I met Lee, which, if my calculations are correct, would have been 1965.  Her family had just moved in directly behind mine.  I jumped over the fence into their back yard to meet the new neighbors.  I don't remember which of her children invited me in through the back door, but they immediately said, "come meet my mom".  Lee's smiling face is what I remember most, and how she immediately stopped what she was doing to take time to get to know me, and make me feel welcome in her home.  That was the beginning of many visits with Lee and her family over the years.  I soon became friends with her son, Bobby, and her daughter, Linda, and later formed a friendship with her oldest daughter, Susan.  They were all wonderful, but there was something about Lee that made her uniquely special. Her smile, her warmth, her outgoing personality, not to mention her homemade pies, and her twinkling eyes; they were all a part of what made you want to be this woman's friend forever.  Her son, Bobby, and I graduated high school together, and Lee eventually moved to a new neighborhood.  Over the years we celebrated weddings and baby showers, and shared each others sadness  during the loss of friends and loved ones.  I will never forget her.  She had her own difficult challenges, and, like all of us, she could be vulnerable, but she always had an inner strength that kept her going.  She was an amazing person, a wonderful mother, grandmother, and friend.  As long as she lived I always knew I was welcome in her home.  She had, and still has, a special place in my heart.  I like to think that I had one in hers, too.  



My grandma lee.. she was the greatest woman in the whole world to me. Never said no. She took me in when I was young, and made me into a great man. I loved her so much. We sang, and danced and armwrestled. We cried together, we played jokes on eachother. she was my best friend. My patron saint. In her final years, I let emotion, and ego, and jealousy enter our relationship when she remarried. I disliked her new husband, and it was mutual. I spent the last years of her life avoiding her. It's been the bain of my existence since. I would give anything to have held her one last time. To have forgiven, and forgotten. But, I did not. In her passing She taught me one last, final lesson. DO NOT EVER LET YOUR LOVE GO UNSAID. PICK UP THE PHONE RIGHT NOW, AND CALL THE ONE YOUR AVOIDING. TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM. TELL THEM, LEE SENT YOU!
I WILL LOVE MY GRANDMOTHER FOREVER. I bought her house, and live in it TODAY. AND EVERY DAY, I TELL HER AGAIN. thank you grandma. Any misdeed you ever comitted is wiped away by the single act you bestowed on me. The world is a better place with me in it. And I am a better man becuase you, are in me. BTW, Your yard is in order, the leaves have been swept off the roof, and I'm keeping the stickers away from the back door. I'm still removing rocks one by one. Were getting there. In other words all is well, you just rest. We'll come in and join you when were finished. 





Lee was a close friend of my late wife and mine when we were stationed in Puerto Rico.  She was a beautiful lady, full of enthusiasm, love and affection for her husband and children, and a real joy to be with. Her children and ours were constant companions.  Unfortunately, when military families separate due to transfers we tend to drift apart, but sweet memories of Lee and her family will always be cherished by me.  My wife and I often reminisced about our 2 years together at Ramey Air Force Base and the close association we had with Lee and her family. My condolences to her children and their father.



LEE WAS MY GRANDMOTHER AND I WILL GREATLY MISS HER. SHE WAS AS WILD AS I AM. AND I LOVED THAT ABOUT HER. BUT FINALLY SHE NOW KNOWS ALL THE TRUTH ABOUT WHO ARE HER TRUE FAMILY. AND WHAT SHE MEANT TO US. I WILL SEE HER AGAIN ONE DAY AND HOLD A CONVERSATION WITH HER. AND SHE WON'T BE SAD. LOVE YOU GRANDMA.                     PAUL HAYWOOD III



Lee will be missed. She is loved by many people. A kind, sweet lady who I will never forget.



No could have told me how to get over this pain. I am Lee's eldest daughter. I worshipped "Lee" all of my life. She was sometimes called, "Dolly, Tea, Maaaaw...". Lee would asnswer to any of these names and we all would all have a ball. Mom said that if they had only named her "Lee Ann Derr", she would better represent "Leander" where she resided. She would laugh.......................................................................................................      Lee was the smartest woman I have ever known.  Mom was one of us kids--she always said that she believed "It is better to have kids while you are still young because you can grow up with them!"  She did not want her kids to suffer or to be sad in any way.  She has left us too soon...she left without a trace..somethings she wanted to do were left undone......................................................................................................       When I was small I had nightmares that my mother would die and I would be alone,devastated and lost. I am no longer small, but I am devasted by my Mom's most recent departure. How can this hole in my heart be filled back up? I don't know yet; I can't find the answer--maybe someday!  Mom is with her people now; her true family in Heaven.  Mom taught me everything I know because she was so vastly well-rounded and talented.  I miss talking with her and laughing, celebrating, creating, sharing everything that matters to me in my life.  I have lost my very best friend and she is in my heart forever. I look forward someday when some of this pain shall leave me......................................................................    No one could ever be as loving and generous to everyone as my Mother was.  No one except Mom could ever truly understand and passionately care about everything you spoke to her about no matter how big or small. She always would take the time to really listen and then appropriately respond.   No one will ever have that special gift.  No one. Mom was so Wise..wiser than her years........................................................................................................        I send prayers up above to my Mother, who now talks to me with the wind and the birds all around. She always had and still has a feather-like touch. Her scent is unlike anything else that's Heavenly.  And her famous homemade pies and meals were the ultimate best on earth anywhere.  She is here if I only will listen really quitely...like she does. My prayers are to Lee's family who will always mourn her death.  I, Susan, shall be with you, Mom, once again and we all shall laugh, dance, sing  and celebrate forever in Heaven; those who truly loved you on earth shall all be together again.  Someday--until then, I will continue to really listen for you because you are still with me in my heart and all around me wherever I am no matter how far I go..if I really listen......................................................................................................       Lee's life meant something.  Lee was a wonderful co-worker, friend, daughter, sister, Aunt, cousin, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and she influenced anyone who ever knew her.  Everyone loved you, Mom.  You are irreplaceable.      I will continue loving you and I remain your first born daughter,    Susan Carol Haywood


OBITUARIO

Lee D. Derr

6 julio, 1925 – 6 mayo, 2004

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

Muestre su apoyo

Comparta Un Recuerdo

Comparta
Un Obituario

Obtenga actualizaciones

Servicios