Verlie Lee

Funeral service for Verlie Ilene Lee will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 25, 2015 at the House Of Prayer. Brother Lonnie Duckett will officiate. Burial will follow Winganon Cemetery under the direction of the Chelsea Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Wed. 1-8 p.m., and family will greet friends 6-8 p.m.

Verlie went home to be the with the Lord on Sunday, June 21, 2015 at the age of 71.

Verlie Ilene Lee was born September 17, 1943 in McAlister, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Jess Paul and Iva Martin Esmond. Over her childhood Verlie and her family moved often do to her fathers job as a minister. With her father leading the way as the Pastor, it just came natural for Verlie to sing. Over the years she would develop a wonderful voice as well as the ability to play multiple instruments. All of this was accomplished with no formal training. It was also at church that she first met, Norman Ray Lee. They married on October 20, 1962. They made their home in the Tulsa area, but continued traveling and singing for the next several years. As her family began to grow all of her time was dedicated to her children; However she did work part time occasionally at Knotty Pine Barbecue in Tulsa, and Ann's Cleaners in Claremore. In the early 2000's Verlie moved to Chelsea. She became an active member at Condry Chapel, where she continued to play and sing.

In her spare time Verlie had many hobbies. Most of course revolved around music and her especially her children and grandchildren. However crocheting and sewing were just a couple of her other talents.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jess and Iva Esmond; brother, James Leon Esmond, and sisters, Iva Sue Esmond and Laverne White.

Survivors include her husband Norman; son, Paul Lee and wife Elita; daughters, Charlotte Carter and husband Virgil, and Christi Grissom and husband Kenny; grandchildren, Elizabeth Gavit and husband Jared, Christian Willis and husband James, Anthony Carter, Brittany Lee, Seth Lee, Nathan Lee, Cassidy Grissom, Katie Grissom, and Kynnlee Grissom; great-grandchildren, Erabella Gavit, Naomi, Lily, Olivia and Makih Willis, and Cazelyn and Blaze Carter; brother, Delbert Ray Hutchinson, and sister, Priscilla Hutchinson.