STATESBORO, Ga. -- Mrs. Jeannette Sparks Lee, age 79, passed away peacefully at her home on August 4, 2013, with her family by her side. At daybreak she entered into the pearly gates and was received by our Heavenly Father. Mrs. Lee was born on Dec 3, 1933, in Bulloch County, Georgia, to the late Stanmore and Ada Bell Sparks, the daughter of a peanut farmer. Mrs. Lee always shared fond memories of working by her family tending to and selling peanuts on the street corners of Statesboro. She enjoyed her brothers and enjoyed fellowship with her cousins and friends. Mrs. Lee was a beautiful God-fearing woman. She married the love of her life, Mr. Rufus Lee, on January 29, 1953. They were married for 55 years until his death in April 2008. As a military family they lived throughout the states and several countries. Upon retirement, they returned to Statesboro with their four children to reunite with family. During their military years. they met their special friends. Earl and Dee Dee Gambrell, who have remained a part of our family for over 50 years.

Mrs. Lee was a homemaker who mastered the art of sewing and cooking and enjoyed being a stay-at-home wife and first class mother. Mrs. Lee loved to prepare full-course meals during holidays and Sunday dinners for her family. She also blessed many friends with her love for baking. Full of love and faith, Mrs. Lee enjoyed each minute with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As a member of Crossroads Community Church, known to her as Statesboro Church of God, Mrs. Lee was a witness throughout the church and community. As a result, her legacy of knowing the true love of God will forever remain in this earthly world. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rufus Lee; parents, Stanmore and Ada Bell Sparks; brothers, Matthew and Garnett Sparks.

She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Rufus Wendell and Lisa Lee, Ronald Wayne and Sue Ann Lee of Statesboro, Lester Eugene and Lin Lee of Stilson; a daughter and son-n-law, Daniele and Darrell Mixon of Statesboro; nine grandchildren, Angel (Torrey) Parnell, Amy (Terrance) Forehand, Ashley (Ashley H.) Lee, Matthew (Kellie) Mixon, Stephen Mixon, Renee (David) Wedekind, Alex Lee, Heather (Cody) Reddick, Bridget Lee; great-grandchildren, Anna Elizabeth Parnell, William Terrance IV (Buddy) and Trent Lee Forehand, Tucker Wayne and Colby Daniel Lee, Hannah Lin Wedekind, Kabreigh Brooke Mixon; brothers, Buford (Marilyn) Sparks, Kenneth (Wilene) Sparks; sister-in-law, Dale Sparks. She is also survived by several dear nieces, nephews and many friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all family, friends and hospice personnel who assisted with the care of our mother.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Ashley Lee, Matthew Mixon, Stephen Mixon, Alex Lee, Torrey Parnell, Terrance Forehand, David Wedekind and Cody Reddick. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, from 5–8 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro. The funeral will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2013, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home with the Rev. Cary Swanson and Mr. Johnny Bradley officiating. Interment will be in Bulloch Memorial Gardens. Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald - 06 Aug 2013