She was born in Birmingham, AL in 1929 to Hazel Adele Burgdorf and Charles Henry Guthier Burgdorf. She was a graduate of West End High School and attended Howard College. Her career included 20+ years at the Center for Disease Control, several years at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Jimmy Carter Center. She retired after working with her husband Dr. Charles Lee at his dental practice. She was a long-time member of Riverchase United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama.
She was a wonderful mother to her three sons. She was a single parent who showered grace and love on her sons. She loved her family and friends.
Patricia Lee was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Charles Lee, stepson Chuck Lee, and great grandson, Dominic James Newton. She is survived by sons, Charles Alan Newton (Debbie), Michael Scott Newton (Wendy), and David Kyle Newton (Beth Ann); stepchildren, Suzanne Scott (Don), and Scott Lee, along with six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
A graveside service will take place at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 11:30 am. For those attending the graveside service, please meet at the adjacent funeral home, Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel (800 Dennison Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211) at 11 am to process to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please send a donation to the St. Jude Children's Hospital.
