Mrs. Lee was raised in the Oak Grove Addition of Lufkin. From a young age, she loved music and playing guitar. Shortly after graduating, she married Ellis Lee and made their home in Lufkin. She was a loving wife and mother who cherished her family and her Lord Jesus Christ. Joann enjoyed baking cookies and pasta, and everything she made was delicious. She also loved the outdoors, painting, and sports, especially basketball.
Mrs. Lee was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and held a strong belief in God and prayer. She was employed by Walmart for 18 years and retired from St. Giles in 2019 after 8 years of service.
Survivors include her son, Chris Lee of Lufkin; her sister, Jane Barbey and her husband, John, of Nacogdoches; nieces, Michelle Barbey, Angela Barbey, and Taylor Barbey; great-nephews, Damon Garner and Daylon Fields; great-niece, Brooklyn Edwards; great-great-nephew, Zayden Garner; aunt, Grace Odom and her husband, Armon, of Tenaha; uncle, Paul Solise and his wife, Betty, of Nacogdoches; and her cousins, Wanda Smith and Ruth Flowers.
Joann was preceded in death by her parents, Rosa and Clarence Lazarine; her grandparents, Simon and Mary Solise; aunts, Mary Hardwick and Anne Deem; and her uncles, Richard, Henry, Clayton, Pat, and Mike Solise.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 11 AM at Gipson Funeral Home, followed immediately by a Funeral Service at 12 PM. She will be laid to rest in Moral Cemetery in Nacogdoches.
Mrs. Lee's family would like to thank all the nurses and therapists from Castle Pines Health and Rehabilitation.
