Leona Mae, her dad called her "little Lee", was born in 1931 in St. Louis.  She left this world on May 22, 2023 and she has left an unimaginable void in our lives.  She was beloved by many.  Mom gave us the gift of unconditional love with ever step, and misstep we took.

Love was her superpower.  She loved people and brought everyone together.  Family was everything, and mom always made everyone feel like family.  She spent hours on the phone making sure she stayed in touch with everyone and kept everyone connected.  She and Dad created a close-knit family.  They were married for sixty-five years, raised five children, welcomed 13 grandchildren, 8 great--grandchildren, and Mom lived to see three great-great grandchildren.  Mom always said she knew nothing about raising children, but you start by just loving them.

Her legacy is the love she gave to us and to the many friends she made throughout her life, and to so many people that had the good fortune to cross her path.  If you needed a place to stay, mom and dad opened their home and made everyone feel welcome.  The kids in the neighborhood often gathered at our house.  You could show up unannounced at the house and Mom would fix you something to eat and sit down with you for a chat.  She had many lifelong friendships. Those friends and their families became part of our lives, spending summers, and coming together for life events. Mom once saw some young men at the local airport who were in the United States to train to become pilots.  She invited them to dinner and they became regular visitors during their time in the states.  They returned over the years with their families and became part of our family.

We will miss the holiday gatherings with family and friends, the great food and good conversation.  We will miss Mom's laugh, her hugs, and her just saying "I love you best."  Our comfort is that she and Dad are together and we will see them again someday by and by.

Lee is survived by her five children, Dawn Yates (Greg), Brian Whealdon, Rebecca Burns (Gary), Karol Whealdon, and Marie Kroog (Helmuth), her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, extended family and so many good friends. She had a life well-lived and filled with love.

Our thanks to the wonderful and caring staff at Hearthside Manor and Multicare Hospice.  A celebration of Lee's life will be held in San Diego, California at the end of July.