In Memoriam: Patricia “Pat” Wood Lee
August 24, 1932 – August 8, 2022
Patricia “Pat” Wood Lee of Ortega passed away on August 8, 2022. She was 89 years young.
Pat was a Jacksonville native born on August 24, 1932 to Frank E. and Martha Alderman Wood. She grew up on Jean Court across the street from Oaklawn Cemetery.
Pat graduated from Bartram, now known as The Bolles School, and was a member of Florida State University’s class of 1954. As a proud Seminole, Pat was initiated into the Iota chapter of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority where she had many roles, including founding the Epsilon Omega chapter at Jacksonville University. After graduation, Pat began her career as a home economics teacher at local schools, including John Gorrie Junior High, and became a longtime member of the Jacksonville Alumnae Panhellenic Association.
Pat met her husband of 47 years, Warden “Sperry” Lee, in the lobby of the Grand Hotel in Rome, Italy while she was on tour and he was on leave from the US Navy. They both loved traveling the word and had two children together. Ever organized, Pat managed to have their daughter on their son’s fourth birthday, the present he had requested. Pat and her husband relished time at their mountain house in North Carolina before his passing in 2003. “She enjoyed life,” her son said.
Pat’s lifelong commitment to volunteering began many decades ago as a candy striper at St. Luke’s Hospital. She helped at special events hosted by WJCT (channel 7), at the Greater Jacksonville Open, and at the Players Championship. She was a member of the Junior League of Jacksonville, The Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Stokesia Garden Club. As a devoted member of Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Pat was involved with the annual May Fete and served on the Altar Guild.
In addition to her volunteer work, Pat was active socially at Timuquana Country Club and The Florida Yacht Club, where she played tennis and golf. She was a Pickled Pickler who faithfully hosted every Monday 5 p.m. tea at her home. “My mom was prim and proper from the Old South, but she had fun!” Pat’s son said of her.
Pat is survived by her son, Warden Sperry Lee, Jr. (Sally); daughter, Carlotta Latise “Tisa” Lee Cumbea (Michael); two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Following a funeral service at Good Shepherd, Pat’s remains were interred at Oaklawn Cemetery, directly across from her first home on Jean Court, completing the circle of her Jacksonville life.
On August 24, what would have been Pat’s 90th birthday, family and friends gathered at Timuquana to fulfill the party plans she had made for herself. No one knew during the planning that it wouldn’t be her birthday celebration they would be attending. Coincidentally, one week before her passing, Pat told her son, “If anything happens to me, you’ll have to have a reception.” And so, he did.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading... 
