Jeanette Marguerite Lee

Mass of Christian Burial for Jeanette Marguerite Knipmeyer Lee will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 24, 2013, at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church in Natchitoches, LA with Fr. John Cunningham officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, LA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on January 23, 2013 at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA. Rosary Service will follow the visitation at 7:00 p.m. with Fr. Jason Gootee. Jean Lee, 82 years of age, passed away January 21, 2013. Mrs. Lee was born October 18, 1930 in New Orleans to the late Adele Fontan Knipmeyer and Dr. William Warner Knipmeyer but lived her entire life in Natchitoches, LA. She was a graduate of Natchitoches High School and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau in 1952. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Northwestern State University. Mrs. Lee first taught at St. Mary’s Elementary from 1952 to 1954, followed by a 14 year leave of absence to raise her 5 remarkable children. She returned to her teaching career in 1968 when she taught at Weaver Elementary. This was followed by stints at Cloutierville High, Natchitoches Jr. High, and the Ninth Grade Center. Mrs. Lee retired from teaching in1996. Mrs. Lee was a Scout Den Mother, life-long member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Jean supported her husband Jimmy in every endeavor of public service of which he was involved. Unknown to many, she generously gave of her time by writing the bereavement and get well cards for the Knights of Columbus, washed many a uniform for the C.Y.O. football teams and countless hours behind the scenes, benefiting generations of Natchitoches children. Mrs. Jean Lee is survived by her four sons, James K. Lee Jr. and his wife Mary of Ruston, LA, Charles Ellis Lee of Natchitoches, LA, Christopher Knipmeyer Lee and his wife Sherri of Bossier City, LA, and Edd Robert Lee of his wife Linda of Natchitoches, LA; one daughter, Jean Marie Lee McElwee of Natchitoches, LA; and one brother, John Henry Knipmeyer and wife Charlotte of New Orleans, LA. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Jason Corley Lee, Janna Michelle Atkins, Brian Joseph Lee, Paul William Lee, Jonathan Lee McElwee, Jenny Lynn McElwee, Kristin Kay Lee, David Christopher Lee, Lindsay Adele Lee, Robert Warner Lee; and three great grandchildren, Camille Jade Lee, Rivers Lee Atkins, and Avyn Kate Lee. Mrs. Lee will be missed by her beloved nieces, Kathy Knipmeyer Pearson and Adele Knipmeyer Foster; and three nephews, John Knipmeyer, Robert Knipmeyer, and William Warner Knipmeyer. Mrs. Lee was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Mr. James Kittredge Lee; her parents, Dr. and Mrs. W.W. Knipmeyer; and her brothers, Dr. W. B. Knipmeyer and Robert Knipmeyer. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are the six Lee grandsons. The honorary pallbearers are the members of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1357. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be given to the construction fund for the new Holy Cross Church, 129 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457. The family will be forever grateful to Mrs. Essie Moore for the love and support she has given to the Knipmeyer-Lee family for over 40 years.