Nancy Darlene Lee

She was the first of three daughters, and was followed by Anne and Marjorie. Their father worked as a farmhand, later owning his own farm, where he raised dairy cows, chickens, and various crops. He later was a Manager at a local seed corn company. Her mother was a homemaker, who enjoyed cooking, gardening and sewing.

Darlene and her family were lifelong avid Seventh-Day Adventists. She graduated Wisconsin Academy in 1955. She attended Emmanuel Missionary College (later Andrews University) in Berrien Springs, Michigan. It was here she met Arthur Spalding, of Gobles, Michigan. The couple married on June 23, 1957.

The couple gave birth to three sons; Jeffrey Arthur (born 1959), Gregory Whitfield (born 1961) and Scott Nelson (born 1963). The family lived in the Detroit metro area. She held jobs as teacher, secretary, business manager, among others. She was active in the church, singing and playing piano for the choir.

After her divorce, Darlene and the boys moved to Cedar Lake, Michigan, where the boys attended academy, and Darlene worked at Cedar Lake Foods, eventually becoming the company's General Manager. It was here that she met Howard Lee, who would become her second husband.

Darlene and Howard started their own business in 1980, serving the Adventist food market. A few years later, Darlene moved to Central Florida, to be near her sons. She and Howard opened a golf store in Clearwater. In 1991, she suffered a near-fatal auto accident. The rest of her life was plagued by chronic pain, which she bore with great bravery. Her religious faith strengthened her throughout her life.

She enjoyed the love of her grandchildren. Her first grandson was Sean. She and Howard cared for Scott's younger children Travis and Emily in her home. She later cared for Gregg's twins Grant & Graham in the home they shared in Tarpon Springs. After her grandchildren grew up and Howard's passing, in 2020, she moved to Lake Mary, to be near her sons.

In the early morning hours of September 26, 2020 she passed away in her sleep.

She is survived by her sons Jeff Spalding, Gregg Spalding, and Scott Spalding. Also by her sisters Anne Grosboll and Marjorie Steubing. Grandchildren are Grant Spalding, Graham Spalding, Sean Goodwin, Travis Spalding, and Emily Spalding.

She will soon be in the arms of her dear Savior, Jesus Christ.