Elaine Durham Lee, 86, died on July 24, 2023. Elaine was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Hilliard Kemper Lee. Surviving family members are her son David Kemper Lee, her daughter-in-law Louise Crouch Lee, and her granddaughter Georgia Ellan Lee.
Elaine was born on January 3, 1937 and grew up in Burlington, North Carolina. She graduated from Williams High School in Burlington and soon moved to Charlotte, the city that she loved and always called home. She met Kemp and they married in 1957. Their only child was born five years later. Elaine had a full career as a secretary for several noted Charlotte attorneys, and later for a senior executive at NCNB. In 1996, after retirement, Elaine and Kemp moved to Garner, North Carolina to be closer to David, Louise, and Georgia. Elaine had a beautiful singing voice, loved the beach, and had a very quick mind. Dementia took its toll late in life, but Elaine never lost her great sense of humor.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 10, at 5:30 pm in the Joseph G. Brown Chapel at Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, a reception will follow at the church.
Memorial gifts may be made to Village Church Rolesville, 410 Southtown Cir., Rolesville, NC 27571, or to the giver’s favorite charity.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, is assisting the family.