Lorraine Henderson Lee’s positive energy lit up every room she ever walked into, and she thrived on brightening others’ days. She was a selfless mother to her two daughters, a doting grandmother to her two grandsons and a devout dog mom of two shih-tzus, Millie and Sadie. Lorraine’s nickname was “Lolo” or simply “Lo.”
She was born in Selma, Alabama on September 9, 1958, and raised in Prairie, Alabama, (population 12) which is 14 miles from Camden, Alabama, located in Wilcox County. Lolo always considered Camden to be her home and affectionately referred to it as “God’s Country.” She attended Wilcox Academy and then Auburn University, following in her father and older three siblings’ footsteps. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority and a proud Pike (Pi Kappa Alpha) little sister. She married Howell Lee in 1979 and moved to Huntsville, Alabama in 1987.
She was a stay-at-home mom when her daughters were young, and she also worked with her husband for his construction company. In 1998 she became Executive Director of the North Alabama Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). She was a dedicated leader of this organization for many years and took much pride in her work.
Lolo was always dressed to the nines and looked like a million bucks. Her smile was as contagious as her effervescent spirit. She was a quintessential southern lady and always taught her daughters to “live by the golden rule.” As a self-described, “Country girl,” she had fond memories of picking and snapping green beans and spending a great deal of time on the river, where she was an extremely impressive water skier. She was a creative genius and meticulously organized. With a glue gun, power tools, a sewing machine and paint, Lolo created magic. Lorraine had a givers’ heart and always stepped up to the plate to help anyone with any project. She never walked past someone wearing Auburn insignia without giving them a big “war eagle baby!” As a cheerleader herself, she became the biggest cheerleader for her daughters and never missed a softball or basketball game, a cheerleading competition, choir concert or theatre performance. Lolo was universally loved, she was always the “fun mom,” and was the life of the party.
Alzheimer’s disease took this radiant and fabulous female far too soon. Lorraine is survived by her two daughters, Rebecca Lee and Laura Dale (Lee) Priest; her son-in-law, Roy Priest; grandchildren, Grayson and Riley Priest; her sister, Laura Woddail (Henderson); her brother, William Henderson; many treasured nieces and nephews; and her “girl gang” of childhood best friends.
A Celebration of Life will be Monday, October 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the home of Laura Dale and Roy Priest, 5715 Macon Dr. Huntsville, AL 35802. Please dress as bright and colorful as Lorraine was or sport your Auburn apparel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1
