Nell Ray Lee, 85, of Beaumont, died Monday, December 6, 2010, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth in Beaumont. A native and lifelong resident of the area, she was born August 18, 1925, to Laura Munsell Ray and James Ray.
As a young girl of fifteen, Nell was a champion swimmer and diver who received many awardsand metals including first place in the junior women’s diving, senior women’s diving, and junior 50-yard backstroke. Nell won a trophy for being high point winner in the senior women’s event at a Gulf Coast AAU meet in Galveston in 1940.
Nell’s other love was singing. She was an active member of the Melody Maids of Beaumont for many years. She was a highlighted soprano soloist and also was known for her talent of whistling tunes. She traveled across the United States performing with the Melody Maids. Their performances helped service men be able to enjoy a few minutes of entertainment before they were sent out for active duty.
After marrying the love of her life, Norman, and moving to Lake Charles, Louisiana, she continued her love of singing by joining the McNeese Messiah Choir that was featured one Christmas eve on ABC. She was also devoted for years to her United Methodist Church choirs of Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and Beaumont. More recently, she continued singing weekly with the Sterling Silver Singers of Trinity Methodist Church.
Nell is survived by her loving husband of sixty plus years, Norman R. Lee of Beaumont; her son, Norman R. Lee, Jr. and his wife Anita Renee Lee of Marietta, Georgia; her daughter, Rebecca Nell Adams and her husband William R. Adams of Sugarland. She also is survived by her four grandchildren, Jeremy Lee, Tim Lee, Daniel Lee, and Tanner Adams, as well as three great grandchildren, Abigail Lee, Garrison Lee, and Jeremiah Lee.
A gathering of her family and friends will be at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 9, 2010. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 10, 2010, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Broussard’s.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Choir Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 5247, Beaumont, Texas 77726 or to Some Other Place, P.O. Box 843, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
