Bonnie Mae Lee

Bonnie Mae Lee, a much loved and cherished mom and nana known for her independent nature, feistiness, and sweet tooth went to be with Jesus on September 18, 2024. Born in Watkinsville, Georgia on May 18, 1941, or that’s what she thought as Bonnie never really knew her birthdate, but her older sister, Betty, always said she was born on Mother’s Day of 1941. But after some research by her family, she found out that Mothers Day did not land on her supposed birthday that year. Therefore, every day in May is her birthday.

Bonnie resided in Brookeland, Texas, but spent her final months residing with her daughter and son-in-law in Lumberton. Bonnie, in all her spunkiness, would tell everyone that her daughter was holding her hostage. She had spent her whole life being the caretaker, rock, and pillar of her family, therefore, the transition to be taken care of was tough for this fireball of a woman. Once she accepted her fate, as her daughter was equally as strong willed, Bonnie enjoyed spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bonnie’s entire world was her family. Family was her life and she loved that family fiercely. You could be sure to see her every day after work for her coffee visit on her way home and she always gave a smile and pinch to the cheek to say goodbye. She got a laugh out of heckling her grandchildren about their “holey jeans” and making sure they ate all the pies and cakes she bought from the Cedar Tree in Jasper so that they couldn’t fit in those “holey jeans” any longer. She also enjoyed giving the great-grands rides on her walker, chasing them (to the chagrin of her daughter), and watching her beloved Houston Astros with anyone who would sit a spell, but she especially enjoyed watching them with her son, Charlie.

While looking for photos, her family was not surprised by the amount of cards and notes Bonnie had received from friends and coworkers before her retirement at the age of 80. Bonnie was a loyal and loving friend and an employers dream employee. She arrived early and never took off. Bonnie began her career in the pulmonary field working for Dr. Gary Friedman in Beaumont and was a dedicated employee for 20+ years. This is where her obsession with Carmex began, from giving Pulmonary function testing (her nickname by the nurses at the hospital was Glossy). After Dr. Friedman closed his Beaumont office, Bonnie went to work for Provost Umphrey Law Firm in the Asbestos Litigation department where she was employed with the firm for 20+ years up until her retirement. She loved her career and coworkers and always said she was blessed with the best of both. Bonnie wore a brooch everyday to work and it was always fun to see which one she would coordinate her outfit with.

Bonnie volunteered with the Red Cross, political campaigns, and was an overall wonderful person and good Samaritan. She was an animal lover who leaves behind Mrs. Birdwell, her beloved Cockatiel who was given to her by her coworkers at Provost Umphrey (she was very touched by this). She also leaves behind her grand-dogs, Reggie who she referred to as “Trouble” and Letty who she referred to as “Fat Ugly”. Both English Bulldogs who sat at her feet waiting for any morsel she dropped or willingly fed them.

Bonnie is survived by her children, Christopher Love and his wife, Barbara, of Georgia; Dawn Brown and her husband, Michael, of Lumberton; Bobby Punch of Livingston; and Charles Edward Lee II of Houston; grandchildren, Lawrence Westberry, Jr. and his wife, Beth, of Beaumont; Ashleigh Jenkins and husband, Austen, of Hillister; Madison Smith of Beaumont; Gavinn Brown of Lumberton; Autumn Brown of Houston; Reagan Almaguer of Plano; Logan Lee of Houston; and Evie Lee of Houston; great-grandchildren, Halleigh Brown of Hillister, Alexander and Serenity Dugas of Beaumont, Sutton and Beckham Brown of Austin, Archer and June Westberry of Beaumont; and sister, Betty Reeves of Georgia.

Bonnie is predeceased by her husband, Charles Edward Lee of Beaumont; her mother and father, Mildred and Olin David of Georgia; sisters, Anna Janes and Henrietta Sharpton of Georgia.

Mrs. Lee’s cremation arrangements will be handled through Broussard’s Crematorium under the direction of Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. A celebration for life will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., in the home of Michael and Dawn Brown. Please contact the family for more details. The family encourages anyone who wishes to attend the Celebration of Life to wear navy blue, orange, or Houston Astros attire in honor of Bonnie’s love for her favorite past time. As Bonnie prioritized her family, the family asks you to do the same – if you aren’t able to attend the celebration of life then grab a loved one and join us in spirit and watch the Astros game being broadcasted at 5:10 p.m.

In Lieu of flowers take your family to dinner or a movie. Family is Life. Life is Family.