Betty Diane Materna Lee, age 60, passed away in Birmingham, AL on November 22, 2011 from complications of Pulmonary Fibrosis. Ms Lee was born on November 17, 1951, in Columbus, MS. She graduated from S.D. Lee High School in Columbus, and earned a bachelors degree in Social Work from Mississippi University for Women and a Masters in Social Work from The University of Alabama. Her entire professional career was spent as a Licensed Social Worker for the Veterans Administration in Birmingham, AL. Her best loved and last assignment prior to retirement was with the Blind Rehab Unit at the VA. She formed close bonds with many of her clients and colleagues that continued after retirement. Ms Lee was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, John W. Gee, Sr. and Rossie Wilcox Gee and paternal grandparents Ila Mae McNees and Joe Hill McNees. She is survived by her mother, Betty Gee McNees and her father James (Joe) McNees of Birmingham, AL. Other survivors include her sister, Jamie McNees Gleason; her brother-in-law, Jeff Gleason; her niece, Kaitlyn Gleason; and her nephew Austin Gleason, all of Birmingham, AL. She is also survived by an aunt, Catherine Gee Tilley of Ethelsville, AL; an uncle, John W. Gee, Jr., of Talladega, AL; numerous cousins and friends; and her beloved pets Friskie, Gracie, Miss Kitty, and Lillie. Diane had a sweet, kind spirit and will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held in Pelham at Southern Heritage Funeral Home from 9am-10am on Friday November 25th with a memorial service immediately following. Graveside services will be held at Friendship cemetery in Columbus, MS. at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to The American Lung Association at 2200 Riverchase Office Center #3604 Birmingham, Al 35244 or The Greater Birmingham Humane Society at 300 Snow Drive, Birmingham, Al. 35209.
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