Martha Lee Burleson

Martha Lee Burleson, 84, of Charlotte, passed away August, 5, 2022. She was born July 5th of 1938, in Statesville, NC to John and Thelma Wright. Martha Lee lived an extraordinary life, mirroring a movie from the Golden Age Hollywood. Her parents moved to Oakdale, just north of Charlotte, and began a new chapter of their life together, along with her brother Tommy.

Martha Lee was a true Southern Belle, with stunning good looks, keen intellect, style, charisma, and the confidence to see her through the trials and tribulations of life.

She came from a humble, hard-working family. Her father and mother instilled a strong work ethic in her at a young age, as she helped her mother in the house and with her brother when her mother had to go to work.

As Martha Lee blossomed into a young woman, her beauty was acknowledged by numerous titles. In 1955, she was named West Mecklenburg High School’s “Class Beauty”. Later that same year, she would be crowned the “Dairy Queen of Mecklenburg County”, as well as the “Carrousel Princess”.

Martha Lee was an exceptional student, graduating in 1956 as a Beta Club member, and a member of the cheer squad. She went on to study at Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC, where she was one of 27 freshmen women chosen to compete in the Freshman Beauty Contest at Winthrop, and was studying to be a secretary.

Her time at Winthrop ended after her freshman year as she became engaged to her high school sweetheart, Ray Burleson. The two were married on September 15th, 1957 at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church. The couple began their new life in Oakdale, and had their first child, Steve in 1959 and their daughter Susan followed in 1963.

After moving to Columbia, SC for seven years, the family moved back to Charlotte. In 1974, they welcomed their third and final child, John.

Not long after John was born, Ray and Martha Lee founded The Tool & Gage House. She worked the phones and inside sales while Ray was on the road. Once the business was off and running Martha Lee focused her attention on her family, social clubs, and charities.

Always the overachiever, Martha Lee was the Awards Chairman for the Charlotte Council of Garden Clubs in 1982, and the President of the Charity League of Charlotte from 1988-89. She was active in the Charity League for many years before and after, helping the children of Charlotte.

Martha Lee’s beauty and style carried over into her artwork. She successfully applied her talent to any medium she desired: painting, fashion, illustration, crochet, needle point, traditional and abstract quilting. She won numerous regional and national awards for her quilts, which pushed the boundaries of texture and design.

She was well known by her friends and family for her handmade holiday and birthday cards. Each card was its own unique piece, thoughtfully crafted for its recipient. These cards are cherished by those lucky enough to have received them.

Martha Lee also had an adventurous spirit. She was a world traveler and visited spots all over the globe. The lavender fields of Provence, France was her favorite place outside of the U.S., and inspired many of her art pieces.

Her home in Charlotte was a reflection of her varied interest, style, and elegance. It is a tribute to her eye for design and artwork, as well as to her green thumb. Martha Lee’s garden was well known as a marvel hidden away in South Charlotte. She started with a bare field when she and Ray moved into the Carmel Road house and created the lush sanctuary it is today. It is yet another testimony to how she molded beauty into the world around her.

All of these wonderful talents and adventures pale in comparison to Martha Lee’s greatest accomplishment, her family. She is part of a legacy which is truly extraordinary. For a moment in time, she was the center link in a five generation living chain which consisted of her grandmother Hessie Jane Wright, father John C. Wright, Martha Lee, her daughter Susan Burleson, and grandson Paul Veto.

After Ray passed in 2002, she held the family together, and navigated those waters with grace, helping to guide her children and grandchildren through those difficult times. She helped turn sorrow into positive motivation, while she mourned the loss of her partner and true love.

Martha Lee had spent her last two weeks at her favorite place, Pawley’s Island, SC with family. She loved the beach and the sound of the ocean waves crashing into the sand, and loved nothing more than watching the ocean. Gretchen, John’s wife, and their three youngest sons spent the first week with her. The following week was spent with her grandson Paul and his family.

Martha Lee spent those weeks making memories, which in retrospect, were magical. As one would expect from an extraordinary life such as Martha Lee’s, her exit from this world was graceful, and seemed to be scripted.

On Friday night she told everyone goodnight and that she loved them. Her youngest great-granddaughter Caroline rushed over to Martha Lee, hugging her tight and saying: “I love you Granny.” She looked down at Caroline and said: “I love you too sweetheart.” With that, Martha Lee went to bed, and peacefully passed away during the night.

She is predeceased by her mother Thelma Wright, her father John C. Wright, her husband H. Ray Burleson and her grandson William Cowles Burleson.

Martha Lee is survived by her sons, Steven Ray Burleson, of Taxahaw, SC and John Edward Burleson his wife Gretchen Snyder Burleson, of Charlotte; daughter, Susan Burleson, of Charlotte; and brother, Tommy Wright, also of Charlotte. In addition, Martha Lee is survived by her grandchildren, Paul David Veto and his wife Laura Beth Veto, Coley Ray Burleson, Emily Ann Burleson, Mac C.S. Snyder, Wyatt Lee Burleson, Charles James Burleson, Bodhi Xhaviar Burleson; and great-grandchildren, Annabel Lee Veto and Caroline Veto.

A service to celebrate Martha Lee’s life will be held at 5 o’clock on Thursday, August 11, at McEwen Funeral Service Pineville Chapel, Charlotte. The family will receive guests before and after the service starting at 4 pm.