Barbara Jean Lee
1937 ~ 2019
Date of Death: November 9, 2019
In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Lee family. Barbara’s earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Mother Barbara Lee.
Sincerely,
Derrick Veasley ~ Director
Henry Veasley ~ Director
Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain
On Monday October 11, 1937 in Cedars, Oklahoma the late Sterling and Mariah (Gordon) Beachem were welcomed with the birth of their youngest daughter, Barbara Jean (aka Mom, Bobby, Bingo or Granny Goose). Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Venus Lee, and five siblings, Vertis (Peter), Johnny, and Clarence Beachem; Medora Allen, and Lula Holmes.
Barbara united with Union Missionary Baptist Church (UMBC) in Cedars, Oklahoma at an early age. After marriage and traveling the world, she moved back to Pocola in 1973 and reunited with UMBC under the direction of Rev. Riddles. Bobby was a very dependable servant. She served in many positions at UMBC, as well as giving of her service at the district level (Central Wayland).
At UMBC, where she remained until she answered the Lord’s call on Saturday, November 9, 2019, Bingo was a member of the adult choir. She served on the Kitchen Committee for numerous years and was the Church’s Historian. Other positions she held were the President of the Choir’s Program Committee, Sunday School Secretary, Vice President of the Choir, Assistant Church Treasurer, as well as being the Church Dean. Granny Goose was the Mission President until she resigned in 2016, because of her health.
In the Central Wayland District, she served in many positions as God’s steward. These positions included Youth Director, Teacher, Correspondence Secretary for the Mission and Dean of Christian Education.
Barbara was a member of Polly S. Baucom Chapter 168 (OES), Willie Mae Myers Court #77, as well as being a lifetime member of the Le Flore County NAACP.
Bobby attended elementary school at Dunbar in Cedars. Her high school years were spent at Douglass High in Spiro, Oklahoma. Upon leaving high school early, she married the love of her life and she spent the next 24 years traveling to many exciting places with her husband and children.
After returning home, following her husband’s retirement from the service, Bobby, who always had a thirst for knowledge, continued her education and earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from Westark Community College. Granny was not through yet. Next, she worked diligently to achieve her Dean’s Certificate. She, along with Elzora Massey and Thelma Paris, worked to obtain their individual certificates. Receiving her certificate allowed the Central Wayland District to remain in good standing with the Oklahoma Baptist Convention.
Bobby worked at Sparks Regional Medical Center as a Registered Nurse and later as a Traveling Nurse. Once she retired from Sparks, she worked as a nurse in Los Angeles, California and in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Barbara leaves to cherish her loving memories, two daughters, Venus Y. (Richard) Albritton of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Sandra E. Lee of Los Angeles, California; two sons, Venus T. (Tokolo) Lee of Arlington, Texas and Patrick J. (Hassina) Lee of Roswell, Georgia; ten grandchildren, Dr. Keyondria (Mark) Wilcox, whom she helped rear, Tyler Lee, Keelan Albritton, Tricia Lee, Kareem Albritton, Lindsey Lee and Jacob Lee Eichenberger, Lane Lee, Jaylan Albritton, and Leilani Venus Lee; one step-grandchild, Richard Albritton, Jr.; nine great-grandchildren, Becky, Emerson, Maleeya, Owen, Keyanna, Ethan, Jackson, Nicole Lee, and Mom and Dad’s heart, Ayanna “Tinkerbell”; one sister, Elzora Massey; one brother-in-law, Richard Allen, and a host of many relatives, friends, loved ones, and her beloved church family.
Visitation will be Friday, November 22, 2019 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rowell-Parish Mortuary 611 North 9th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.
Celebration of life service will be held Saturday November 23, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Union Missionary Baptist Church 104 Clark Avenue Pocola, Oklahoma 74902.
Committal service and final resting place will be held at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, Fort Smith, Arkansas.