Violet Opal Lee, 93, of LaHarpe died Friday, March 18, 2011, at Windsor Place Nursing Center in Iola.
She was born Dec. 16, 1917, in Ellsinore, Mo., to Miles Berry and Nettie Burlington (Rodgers) Raymer. She grew up in Ellsinore and East St. Louis, Ill.
On Jan. 30, 1938, she married Harry Jameson Lee Sr. in St. Louis. They made their home in St. Louis. After Harry served in the military, they moved to Kansas City. After their home was destroyed by a flood in 1951 they moved to LaHarpe where they purchased LaHarpe Telephone Company. He died Feb. 29, 1980.
She was a former member of LaHarpe Christian Church and was attending RiverTree Christian Church. She was a passionate supporter of the LaHarpe community.
She is survived by a son, Harry Jr. and his wife, Joyce, LaHarpe; a daughter, Carol Higginbotham and her husband, Tom, Iola; 12 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
A grandson, Matheau Chapman, five brothers and two sisters died earlier.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at LaHarpe City Hall. The Revs. Bill LaPorte and Matt Bycroft will officiate. Burial will be in LaHarpe Cemetery.
Memorials to Allen County Animal Rescue Facility (ACARF) may be left at the funeral home. Online condolences for the family may be left at iolafuneral.com.
Violet Lee
