Ella Jean Lee

Ella Jean (Knight) Lee passed peacefully into the presence of her Savior on October 20, 2021. She lived in Baytown, Texas. Jean will be remembered for her caring nature, her generous heart, and her life of service to others. She was kind to everyone she encountered.

Jean was born on October 1, 1931, in Oakhurst, Texas, in San Jacinto County, to Otis and Jewell (Head) Knight. She grew up in Oakhurst and enjoyed reminiscing about her young friends, the adventures they had, and her love for her horse Charlie. She was a cowgirl at heart and seldom missed the opportunity to ride with Alton Aden, her stepfather, to look after his cattle. From this she learned at an early age that everyone needs to know how to saddle his own horse.

At the age of 15, Jean graduated from Oakhurst High School in 1947 as valedictorian. The family moved to Huntsville where Jean enrolled in Sam Houston State Teachers College, now Sam Houston State University. Here she met OB Lee, another journalism major and the love of her life. In her senior year Jean was editor of The Houstonian, the campus newspaper. She was a regular contributor to the campus literary magazine, member of Who’s Who, and on the Dean’s List.

Jean graduated from Sam Houston in 1950, married OB and moved to Baytown, and began 41-years in public education. By 1956, she had both a master’s degree and certification in library science. She first taught in Crosby ISD. She used her journalistic talents to teach English and social studies in junior school and high school journalism. Then, after four years at Crosby ISD, Jean taught one year at Deer Park before becoming part of Goose Creek ISD.

The greater part of her 36-year tenure with Goose Creek was as librarian at Carver Jones High School, Baytown Junior High, and Robert E. Lee High School. Jean loved Goose Creek staff and students. On April 29, 1987, when Robert E. Lee High School was burning, Jean and OB rushed to the school and began rescuing computer equipment and irreplaceable library records. Immediately after the fire, she began organizing the drying and storing of damaged books and was responsible for reorganizing the “new” REL High School Library. She didn’t talk love and loyalty; she lived it for her colleagues, students, and friends.

Jean served as president of both Baytown Education Association and Baytown Classroom Teachers Association. In May 1992, Jean Lee Day was celebrated in Baytown, and Jean retired from Goose Creek ISD. She then was proud to devote seventeen years to the City of Baytown as part-time reference librarian at Sterling Municipal Library. One of Jean’s favorite quotes, as spoken by Mark Twain was “The man who does not read is no better off than the man who cannot read.”

She enjoyed active membership in The Delta Kappa Gamma Society, an honorary organization for women educators. She participated at the local, state, and international levels. She served as president of the local chapter, Epsilon Psi.

Jean was a life member of Texas State Teachers Association and Baytown Retired Teachers Association. She held membership in the American and Texas Library Associations, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, and Sam Houston Alumni. She was a 50-year member of Goose Creek Chapter #798 Order of the Eastern Star and an endowed member of Cedar Bayou Chapter #11.

Church mission trips, family vacations, Girl Scouts, the Lee Brigadiers, the school years in Janet and Dena becoming Texas Aggies—all were precious memories for Jean and OB. However, it was Wooster Baptist Church that gave Jean and her family spiritual guidance and strength through the years. This church gave her children a firm foundation for meeting life’s challenges. The family wishes to express appreciation to Pastor Jason Shuttlesworth and the members of Wooster Baptist Church for their visits and kindness to Jean.

Ella Jean Lee was preceded in death by her parents, Jewell (Head) and Otis Knight; her stepfather, Alton Aden; infant son Brian Albert Lee, and her husband, OB Lee. She is survived by daughters, Janet Lee Killion (son-in-law Bill), College Station, Texas; Dena Ann Lee, Spring, Texas; and grandson Brenton Lee Killion of Austin, Texas.

The family appreciates the medical care provided by Dr. James Bernick and Dr. Chris Hays for Jean’s care in her later years. Jean had wonderful, loving, dedicated caregivers, including Kim Andrade, Joann Chapman, Lelia Nichols, Lucy Andrade, and Angie Sierra. They cared for her in extraordinary ways. The family would also like to thank Lorraine Smith and Joyce Williams for the care they provided to Jean. Jean thanked the Lord for these precious women.

Jean’s favorite scripture is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281) 422-8111. The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, October 25, 2021 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Navarre Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place Monday, October 25, 2021 at 10:30 AM in the chapel of Navarre Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Center Hill Cemetery, 110 Center Hill Rd., Oakhurst, Texas 77359.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Wooster Baptist Church Building Fund, 7007 Bayway Drive, Baytown, Texas, or Sterling Municipal Library in Baytown.