Jean Lee

Betty Jean Lee passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at her home in Lakeside. Jean was born to Ralph Merrill and Myrna Pearce on August 3, 1941 in Phoenix, AZ. She was the 2nd of their 6 children. She lived throughout her youth in Phoenix where she was an outstanding student, athlete, and musician at Camelback High School, where she graduated in 1959. In May of 1961 Jean met Floyd J. Lee at a dance in Show Low. They quickly fell in love and were married in the Mesa Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 22, 1961. Jean and Floyd settled down in Lakeside where they lived out their life together. They raised 6 children, all of whom still live in the White Mountain area. Jean loved the outdoors and spent many nights under the stars, while hunting and camping with her family and friends. She also loved working in her garden and has blessed many with the fruits (and vegetables) of her labors. Jean worked for over 18 years in the Larson Public Library in Lakeside where she came to be known by most of the residents of Pinetop/Lakeside. She was probably best known in the community, however, for her love of the Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets. She was involved with Blue Ridge High School athletics in one capacity or another, from 1974-1998. She was willing to help out wherever needed, whether that was statistician, team mom, trainer, cheerleader, or chief fundraiser, where she became famous for donating hundreds of her delicious donuts. You name it, she did it, all in the name of supporting the kids of Pinetop/Lakeside. She was always willing to help out those who were down on their luck and opened her home to many that enjoyed her motherly love and influence. The only thing Jean loved more than the Yellow Jackets was spending time with her family and serving in her church. Jean held many church callings where she served valiantly. She served as Primary President, Relief Society President, Librarian (of course) and stake athletic director, which was probably the calling she loved the most. She also loved the time she got to spend serving in the Snowflake Temple since Floyd’s passing in 2004. She was a wonderful example to her posterity of what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ through her selfless service. Jean is survived by her children; Warren Lee of Lakeside, Gay and David Tenney of Linden, Dirk and Michelle Lee of Lakeside, Susan and Robert Holden of Lakeside, Todd and Misty Lee of Show Low, Janell and Joe Hitchcock of Linden; four siblings, Merlene and Rick Eberly of Linden, Keith and Darlene Merrill of Snowflake, Lavar and Brenda Merrill of Linden, Cindy and Dudley Brown of Moapa, Nevada; 30 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Jean will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the White Mountain Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1520 Church Lane, Lakeside, AZ, with visitation from 10:00-11:30 am.Interment will follow at the Lakeside Cemetery.