Mary Lou Lee

Mary Lou Harris Lee was born in Waldo, Arkansas, Columbia County on May 23, 1930 to Rufus and Mary Arvella Hughes Harris. She departed this life on May 25, 2020 in Suwanee, Georgia.

Mary joined Davis Chapel AME Church in Wilton, Arkansas being an active member of the church choir where she often sang solos. Growing up in Wilton, she worked on the farm alongside her eleven siblings. She often proved her ability to do anything her brothers could do including tearing down an old barn house and recycling the lumber to help build the house she shared with her family. Being strong-willed and determined to not continue to pick 350lbs of cotton a day for the rest of her life, she graduated high school from the Little River County Training School. The highlight of her high school career was her role as point guard for the Varsity Girls Basketball team. Mary earned a scholarship to Shorter College in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Mary left Arkansas and moved to Kansas City, Missouri where she lived with her older sister Lola Parks and her family. Young Mary was a loving aunt and caregiver to her little nephews, Donald and Ronald Parks. Mary enjoyed her young adult years living during the heyday of Kansas City’s African -American culture. She loved its’ nightlife, live music, dancing and socializing with her cousins and other extended family. Mary loved dressing up for a Saturday night out on the town.

It was there where she met Shade Meshack Lee, a young Tuskegee Airman and friend of her cousin Augustus Owens. She married Shade, and they lived in Dayton, Ohio before moving to Elizabeth, New Jersey where they made their lives for the next 63 years. Three children were born to this union.

Mary embraced life in New Jersey, making many friends in the Elizabeth community. She worked for Elizabeth Public Schools as a library assistant at Edison High School for 20 years before retiring in 1992. After retirement, Mary became member of the Foster Grandparents Association, volunteering her time nurturing preschool children at the Elizabeth YMCA.
She worked as a faithful member of Siloam Hope Presbyterian Church for 60 years. She served on the Usher Board and Senior Choir. The church honored her service by appointing her as an Elder of the church.

Mary lived her final years in Suwanee, Georgia with her daughter Karla Manners. She left this earth peacefully surrounded by the love of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one daughter, five brothers and three sisters.

She leaves to cherish her memory:

Two daughters, Karla A. Manners of Suwanee, Georgia and Phyllis M. Patterson of Grayson, Georgia.

Two Son-In-laws, Anthony B. Manners and Tyrone Patterson

Three Brothers, Donald Harris, Ermon Harris, Sr. and Fletcher Harris

One Sister, Edna Jones

Seven Grandchildren, Joshua A. Manners, Jillian A. Manners, Julie A. Manners, Michael M. Patterson, Tiffani J. Patterson, Tatiana M. Patterson, Tai M. Patterson

One granddaughter-in-law, Lynnlieth Patterson

Two Great-grandchildren, Aszure Patterson and Ohana Patterson
And a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.