Saundra Lolita Lee

Washington, DC, to parents Lillian Louise Gaskins Brown and Herbert Jones. Legend has it, Saundra was

so tiny that her first bed was actually a dresser drawer, pulled out, and made beautiful and comfortable

just for her! She shared countless childhood stories of playing challenging sports, running, bike riding,

and walking from where she grew up at 1934 Bennett Place – to downtown DC’s monuments, stores,

and parks! The oldest of nine (9) children, Saundra LOVED her family! It’s impossible to think about her

without thinking “Family, St. Paul family, the Gospel Chorus, and travel”! And all of these things radiated

in her big beautiful smile and gregarious hugs and kisses! All her sisters and brothers have memories,

and lessons, and good times she shared, like taking us to the circus every year, shopping for fancy

smancy shoes (or clothes) our parents didn’t buy us, and letting us drive her big beautiful Chevrolet cars!

Her love for her Mama and Daddy “Carl” (Ross) was unmatched – with Saundra always making time to

visit, call, spend time with (and later care for) them!

Saundra attended DC’s Charles Young Elementary, Browne Jr. High, and Spingarn High School, with

“Perfect Attendance” from junior high through high school! After graduating from Spingarn in 1957,

Saundra got her first “good government job” working at the Pentagon! She lovingly teased about the

absolute requirement to dress up, put on her stockings and high heeled shoes – to tip-toe down to the

bus stop to get to work each day! She absolutely loved and committed to her work at the Department of

Defense; retiring June 30,1994, as a Supervising Military Personnel Management Specialist for Army

Materiel Command, after 37 years of federal service.

Back to Family! The only place Saundra spent more time than with blood family was with her St. Paul

Baptist Church family, under the current leadership and spiritual teaching of her beloved Rev. Dr. Darrell

Macklin! This was her ONLY church and the place where she committed to learning, growing, and

serving God! Saundra was baptized by her beloved Rev. James E. McCoy in 1949, when she was 9 years

old! 1949 is also the year Rev. McCoy launched the “Gospel Chorus”, of which Saundra was a charter

member! From that time until about two (2) years ago when she experienced health challenges,

Saundra was fully committed to sharing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, through song! As a lead alto,

she was known to rock the house, taking the lead on many powerful hymns, including her signature

song “He’s an on time God”! She didn’t just save her beautiful melodious voice for church services, she

and her fellow choir members, who were also very close friends, were known for just breaking out in

song just about anywhere!

It’s no surprise that it was also through her love for gospel music, that she met and later married the

love of her life, George W. Lee, Jr.! As the director of music at St. Paul, George became one of Saundra’s

best friends, music partner, and life partner! For many years, their life after church services were spent

traveling across the DC area and beyond, singing and playing God’s music. They were such a melodious

duo with George on organ/piano that St. Paul Missionaries convinced them to host a full concert! The

years never dimmed the memories of her beautiful voice. People were still stopping Saundra on the

street all the time admiring her beautiful “silver top” and sharing their love and memories of

performances past.

Saundra and George married on May 24, 1975. While Saundra didn’t have biological children, her

motherly love radiated deep in her care and concern for her “babies”, whether her little sisters and

brothers, nieces, and nephews, godchildren, or extended family and friends. Some called her the “Baby

Whisperer” as she could take any child…no matter how fussy or distraught…and toss them up on her

bosom to rock, comfort, and put them fasssst asleep! No child stood a chance against that rock!

One of Saundra’s very special children is her niece/goddaughter, Rosalynne. From the moment she got

word that this baby was on the way, Saundra was planning, and plotting, and loving her upcoming

bundle of joy! There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her baby and that love has been fiercely

reciprocated between the two throughout the years!

Saundra volunteered and assisted when and where she was needed, including the Retired and Senior

Volunteer Programs of Child and Family Services, fellowship ministry, church membership clerk, and

Minister of Administration and Operations. In more recent years, Saundra enjoyed serving as leader of

the Senior Ministry, organizing weekly bible studies, luncheons, and UNO games, as well as other social

activities for church and community members.

There’s not enough room to share all the wonderful memories here. Saundra loved God, people,

traveling - especially cruises and road trips - dining out, theatre, bowling, dancing, singing, family get-

togethers and game nights. Saundra was a unique blend of straightforward, direct, no-nonsense (but

sensitive), silly, fun, outgoing, stubborn, trash talking, loyal, and dependable – just the person you

always wanted to be in the room when you arrived!

Saundra was pre-deceased by her parents Lillian and Carl Ross and Herbert Jones; her husband, George

W. Lee, Jr., and brother, Anthony Ross, Sr.

Saundra leaves to cherish her memory and legacy siblings: Carolyn Bradford, Patricia Robinson, Reginald

A. Ross (Gwendolyn), Yvonne Ross, Steven Ross, Judith Ross, and Jana Ross. Also, her goddaughter/niece

Rosalynne Wendt (Sekou), nieces Kimberly Alston, Laverne Ballew (Toby), and Patricia Ross;

godson/nephew Tyronne Bradford; nephews Brian Alston (Celeste), Reginald J. Ross, Thaddeus Ross,

and Anthony Ross, Jr.; two aunts Monica Lester and Vivian Brown Penda, her forever best friend,

Claretha Williams – and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.