Former MSU First Lady Patricia Lee passes away at 83

Contact: Carl Smith

Patricia Pittman Lee, 83, succumbing to Alzheimer’s and related illnesses, passed peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, at The Traditions, a senior living community in Houston, Texas. She will forever be known for her joyful energy, hospitality and caring for others. A dedicated mom, who sacrificed for her children without regret, she was also fierce and relentless in defending her family and beliefs.

Ms. Lee was born on March 16, 1941, near Fayetteville, North Carolina, to parents Clarence Woodberry Pittman and Christine Capps Pittman. She was later joined in life by two sisters and two brothers. She was a 1959 honors graduate from Hoke County High School (Raeford, North Carolina).

On Aug. 15, 1959, she was married to John Charles Lee at Pittman Grove Baptist Church in Rockfish, North Carolina, and the couple began their 65-year-long partnership. In 1961, with her support, he enrolled in North Carolina State University, where the couple’s joint efforts resulted in his bachelor’s degree, and after a short stint in industry, a doctorate.

Throughout those college years, Pat worked tirelessly in a variety of jobs, while raising their son John Charles Lee, Jr., born 1960, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and two daughters Marsha Lynn Lee born in 1963, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Tonya Sue Lee, born in 1967, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Following their college years, her husband held several high-level administration positions, and the couple served universities in Monticello, Arkansas, at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Starkville, Mississippi, at Mississippi State University, and College Station, Texas, at Texas A&M.

In Texas, at Texas A&M, with children grown, Ms. Lee joined the Dean’s office in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as Coordinator for the College’s Development Council, a lay advocates group. Later she became Executive Director of the International Stockman’s School, a partnership between the Department of Animal Sciences and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where she dealt with cattle and horse authorities throughout the world.

In 2002, she became the First Lady of Mississippi State University, where she used her knowledge and experiences to advance the university’s numerous internal and external interests. In a 2005 commencement address to MSU students, in her comments about giving back, and her very active humanitarian efforts following Hurricane Katrina, she stated, “One of our hopes for all Mississippi State students is that they develop a stronger sense of the obligation to give back … both to the individuals who have helped them on their way to a more rewarding life, and to those not as fortunate. If Hurricane Katrina had a silver lining, perhaps it was to remind us all of just how much we are dependent on one another.”

In 2006, in her acceptance speech for being selected by the President’s Commission for Women, to receive the Outstanding Woman’s Award, she commented, “As women, we always have been society’s nurturers and caregivers, and I for one have no wish to see women relinquish that role, even as our horizons grow broader. Instead, I hope you will use your gifts of empathy and compassion as you exercise leadership to help make our society more caring and just.

And of course, as an avid Bulldog fan, she made certain her grandchildren Kaitie, Jake, and Addison, who they affectionately knew as “Nene,” participated in campus and regional athletic events whenever possible.

In 2006, Ms. Lee and husband Charles both retired and moved to Clarksville, Virginia, to be near their grandkids. There they provided the leadership and energy to expand the local library, revamp and expand the local food pantry, revive the Fourth of July Parade, and she chaired the free Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

She and her husband moved to a senior living facility near a daughter’s home in Houston, Texas, in 2021, and on Aug. 3 of this year, they were surprised by family who joined them in celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

Ms. Lee is survived by husband Charles Lee of Houston, son John Lee, Jr. of Clarksville, Virginia, daughters Marsha Lee of Houston, Texas, Tonya Boozer of Denton, Texas, Jan Lee-Parks of Houston, Texas, and Terri Lee of Clarksville, Virginia, grandchildren Kaitland Lee and Jake Lee of Richmond, Virginia, and Addison Boozer of Tucson, Arizona, and great granddaughter McInnis Lee of Richmond, Virginia. She is also survived by brothers Len and Johnny Pittman of South Carolina, and Barbara Douglas of Georgia, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be a family ceremony celebrating Ms. Lee’s rich and selfless life on earth in September. Her husband will join her again when their ashes are spread on the lake they so loved in Southern Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in support of Houston Methodist Hospital’s Nantz National Alzheimer Center. Donations can be made at https://givingforms.houstonmethodist.org/NantzGivingForm or you may mail a check to Nantz National Alzheimer Center c/o Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, TX 77210-4384.