Louise Orthencia Lee

Jane Kirlew and Edgar Williams welcomed their beautiful daughter, Louise Orthencia Williams, in Bethel Town, Westmoreland, Jamaica, West Indies on March 20, 1930. She was one of 10 children. Louise – affectionately called “Lou” – blossomed into a beautiful lady and found the love of her life, Hugh Washington Lee, whom she wedded on August 15, 1959. As devout Seventh Day Adventists, Hugh and Lou began to build a life with God as the center of their marriage. As this fairy tale continued with her Prince Charming, Hugh and Lou had one daughter, Kay Lee (now McKay). Both Lou and Hugh poured their love into their only daughter. To ensure she had a better life, they selflessly immigrated to New York. Not only did Lou provide unconditional love to Kay but she also poured her heart into fostering six other children.

Throughout her life, Lou gave selflessly. She made you laugh even if you were crying, and she would feed and entertain everyone that came to her home. Lou was multi-talented and enjoyed singing hymns at church, playing the piano and organ, baking pudding, cooking dumpling, and fostering her garden. From an early age, she loved to serve God and as she grew older, she became one of the top Literature Evangelists for the SDA Church through several SDA conferences and won numerous awards that cannot all be named because you would be here a long while. Driven by their passion and love for God, Lou and Hugh opened a Health and Christian literature store in 1986. Lou and Hugh went on to buy several properties in Florida to continue building their empire.

When her daughter Kay married Roger McKay, Lou warmly welcomed him and his family with open arms. Lou treated Roger like her son without hesitation and she often invited him over for soup, laughs, and genuine affection. She loved children so dearly and so when her granddaughters Shaunté McKay (now Jack) and Krystal McKay came along, it was no surprise that she spoiled them in every way. Every summer, Lou would take care of her grandchildren for one to two months at a time. She left peppermint candies on their pillows, took them to amusement parks, and cooked lavish meals. Lou was also diligent about making sure her grandchildren knew their bible verses, learned hymns on the organ and piano, and kept a close connection with God by observing the Sabbath and having Bible study every Saturday. As they grew older, she remained present in every aspect of their lives. She came to almost every school graduation and even after a stroke in 2016, she was very adamant that she attend Shaunté’s wedding.

Lou was sweet like honey in her demeanor and her delivery. She was patient and kind, and provided wisdom and advice to all. She brought joy to so many and she was blessed to live a great, long life until 91 years old. She was a lady, the ultimate matriarch and a blessing to all who came in contact with her. Her words of wisdom will be heard forever, her love and compassion are timeless, and she will be loved for eternity even as she sleeps.

Louise Lee leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Roger McKay, her grandchildren, Shaunté and Krystal McKay, along with friends and family who will love and miss her dearly.