Marietta Lee

Marietta Baker Lee, daughter of Col. and Mrs. Thomas A. Baker, Sr., was born April 8, 1943, in Natchitoches, Louisiana and passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025, at her residence at the Barclay House in Baton Rouge.

Marietta was loving, kind, thoughtful, selfless and had an amazing ability to light up any room. She met the love of her life, Lester H. Lee, Sr., in kindergarten. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and St. Mary’s High School, then went on to earn both a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s Degree +30 from Northwestern State University. As a student, she was actively involved in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and was honored as Miss School Spirited, Homecoming Queen and Miss Merry Christmas.

Upon graduation from college, Marietta began a fulfilling career as a high school teacher. She made a meaningful difference for many students while teaching at various schools throughout Natchitoches Parish. She was known state-wide for her leadership and success with FBLA.

In her late thirties, she was diagnosed with a debilitating disease that changed her physical abilities but never her attitude. She was a most positive and happy person and radiated her beautiful outlook on life. Even in times of great pain and suffering, she remained joyful–always smiling and focusing her concern on others. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, PEO, and the Service League of Natchitoches.

She was an amazing wife, mother to five children, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a devout Catholic, and her faith in God and her love of family was everything to her. She established a beautiful legacy for her family to follow.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 55 years, Lester H. Lee, Sr.; her brother, Thomas Ashley Baker, Jr.; her sister, Lee Baker McNeely; her sisters-in-law, Ann Lee Alford and Lydia Scott Lee; and her brothers-in-law, Randy Lee and Harry Breda, Sr.

Marietta is survived by her children: Tracy Lee Daily and husband David; Lester H. Lee, Jr. and wife Kelly; Jennifer Lee Coburn and husband Chad; Michael J. Lee and wife Erin; Stephen A. Lee and wife Jessica. Her grandchildren: Drayton Daily and wife Avery; Drake Daily and wife Mallory; Katelyn Coburn, Annabelle Daily, Emily Coburn, Mary Kate Lee, Matthew Lee, Luke Lee, Paige Lee, Ava Lee and Charlotte Lee. Her great-grandchildren: Chad Michael Coburn and Reid William Daily. She is also survived by her sister, Anne Baker Breda; sister-in-law, Ellen Baker; brothers-in-law, Sandy McNeely and Edmond Lee and wife Henriellen, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Barclay House in Baton Rouge for their care and compassion.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 24, at 12:00 noon at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Rev. Louis Sklar as celebrant. Visitation will be held at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches from 10:00 a.m. until 11:40 a.m. A time of remarks and remembrance, celebrating a life well-lived, will begin at 11:20 a.m. in the funeral home chapel.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Lester Lee, Jr., Michael Lee, Stephen Lee, Matthew Lee, David Daily, Drayton Daily, Drake Daily, and Chad Coburn. Honorary pallbearers will be Buddy Giering, Edmond Lee, and Sandy McNeely.