Shirley V. Lee

Shirley Lee, 85, passed away on Saturday March 13th, 2021 at the Carle Foundation Hospital, in Urbana, Illinois. She was the third of nine children born to Susie Mae and Horace Blackstone on February 20, 1936.

By all accounts, Shirley was glamourous, spirited and full of life, who loved to swing and listen to Billie Holiday. She had a giving nature and was fiercely protective of her family. Not many things would get past her, and she could bargain for the best deals at any store. She graduated from the Harriet Tubman High School and would later meet and marry Herbert “Sonny” Lee in Baltimore, Maryland who had a long career with the United states Army and retired as a Master Sergeant. They would spend over fifty loving years together traveling the world and raising three children.

While stationed around the globe with her husband at various military installations, Shirley worked at various positions “on-base” including roles at the Commissary, Exchange and General Services. When Herb was transferred to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Shirley began a 20-year career with the United States Department of Defense Finance & Accounting until her retirement in 2000. She loved the work that she did to ensure that our military service men and women and their families, had access to resources to ensure their success. Shirley had a special gift of connecting with people from all walks of life. From the Four-Star Colonel she met at every duty station, to the young private who had a new family, if Shirly called you friend, then you were in business. A young solider who arrived on base without their “quarters” assigned; no problem. Shirley would find them something while she went straight to the top to fix the problem. She enjoyed her work and received several accommodations that recognized her strong work ethic and dedication. Though she would put long hours at work, she could also kick back and let loose.

Shirley was the life of every party. She loved to host gatherings in her home of family and new and old friends. She could out play you at cards, with spades and tonk being her specialty. Her guests would leave with their souls fed, great memories, and likely an empty pocket. Shirley enjoyed playing bingo every Friday evening, and had a large collection of her own bingo accessories. Shirley was ever the care giver, being around her meant your tummy was full and your cup of life was getting continuous replenished. Along with her husband, Shirley became an active member of the freemasons joining the Order of the Eastern Star and the women’s auxiliary of the Prince Hall Freemasonry, the Daughters of Isis.

Shirley was a woman of faith and was very active in all the communities she lived in. She was known to participate in various community activities and champion groups that catered to veterans and the homeless. As a young girl she accepted Christ at the St. Stephens A.M.E Church in Howard County, Maryland. In later years, Shirley and Herb became active members of the Caring Place Assemblies of God in Indianapolis and were involved with the hospitality team. Shirley ensured that the volunteers on the evening prayer committee had refreshments every weekend to make it through their long hours of receiving members’ prayer requests. She loved greeting those who walked into the doors of the church every Sunday and helping them to become part of the Caring Place family.

Shirley is survived by her beloved children; Jerry Lee and wife Odella, Herman Lee and wife Wilhelmina, and Dr. Gina Lee-Olukoya and husband Mayo; several grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Additionally, she leaves her younger sister Bessie Mae Dacus, sister-in-law, Tina Blackstone, brother Melvin and her much loved nieces and nephews.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Herbert Lee, parents and siblings, James “Buddy” Harding, Carole Ann, Nathan, Catherine, Glenn and Thomas.

Funeral services and interment will at the Crown Hill Cemetery at 700 E 38th St, Indianapolis, In 46208 on Friday, March 26, 2021. A viewing is planned for 11am, followed by the service at 12noon. A celebration of life reception will be held at 3701 N. Chateau Ln, Indianapolis, In.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that consideration be given to making a donation in Shirly’s honor to either Circle of Friends Adult Day Services- Champaign, IL (http://www.circleoffriendsadc.net/index.html ), Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/), The Caring Place Church (https://www.caring.place/), or Stone Creek Church- Urbana, IL (https://www.sccwired.com/)