Mildred White Lee

Born on December 7, 1929, in New Boston, Texas to parents Ted and Avis White, Mildred Ruth White was one of twelve children. Mildred would meet and eventually marry the love of her life, Marion Wilkerson Lee, on September 14, 1946, in Mountain Home, Arkansas. The two would spend 62 wonderful years together until his passing in 2009, leaving quite the legacy as they not only had 9 children, but dozens of grand, great, and great-great grandchildren.

The Lees would move to Odessa, Texas, in 1952, where Mildred would work in the cafeteria at Blackshear Junior High School, before finally retiring as a cook from Medical Center Hospital. A devout Christian, Mildred was a member of Eisenhower Church of Christ for over 35 years.

The ultimate matriarch, Mildred was known affectionately as “Nana Lee” to many, some of whom were not even related by blood. Always warm and welcoming, there was never a stranger to enter the Lee household. Whether you had met her once, or had seen her regularly, she was sure to leave a positive, lasting impression on you, and she surely never forgot anyone. The most loving mother and grandmother, her home would prove to be the hub for holidays, birthdays, and other family gatherings over many decades and for multiple generations. An amazing cook, nobody ever left her house with an empty belly, with her homemade, legendary German chocolate cake always being sought after at the end of every celebration.

Mildred and Marion were the foundation of the family, their undeniable love and bond for each other proving to be a model that many hope to come close to replicating in their own lives. This pure and precious love will now have to be reflected upon when sorting through photos, or by reminiscing on cherished and treasured memories. Neither can do justice to the joy and belonging felt by actually being there in the moment, but comfort can be taken in knowing we will see them again someday in a far better place.

Mildred is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Marion Wilkerson Lee; parents, Ted and Avis White; five sisters, Evelyn Lewis, Betty Alman, Lucille Megill, Margie Yount, and Alice Kopec; two brothers, Jr. White, and J.C. White; son-in-law, Jon Cooper; granddaughter, Darla Jean Borsos; great-granddaughter, Azaria Williams; and great-great-granddaughter, Delilah Perkins.

Mildred is survived by two sons, Donald Wilkerson Lee and wife, Brenda, of Kingsland, Texas, and Randy G. Lee of Odessa; seven daughters, DeEtta Jean Lee of Odessa, Carol Ruth Cooper of Cocoa, Florida, Terry Sue Surratt and husband, Phil, of Newark, Texas, Wanda Faye Perkins and husband, Jackie, of Odessa, Debra Ann Aldridge and husband, Paul, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Lisa Loraine Wells and husband, Bobby, of Odessa, and Penny Marie Williams of Odessa. She is also survived by four sisters, Marilyn Bellew, Joyce Fulmer, Kathryn Christensen, and Frances Averette; 22 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and 29 great-great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends for visitation Friday, January 6, 2023 from 4-8 PM at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 12 PM (Noon) at Eisenhower Church of Christ followed by burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Robbie Perkins, Chris Surratt, Slade Surratt, Corey Cooper, Daniel Lee, Joshua Wells, Luke Wells, and Seth Williams. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Perkins, Shawn Perkins, Nathan Lee, Corey McCoy, Brian Mecham, Brandon Mecham, Jackie Jurado, and Jaden Jurado.