Rita Joan “Jo Ann” Lee, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt passed away early Wednesday morning February 4th, 2015 at Brownwood Regional Hospital.
Rita was born in Comanche County to the late William Carl Rollins and Mary Thompson Rollins. She married Robert Dee Lee, a well known six-man football coach in the area. He preceded her in death in July of 2008.
Rita graduated from North Texas State University while earning a music degree with a concentration in piano and was known as an accomplished musician and vocalist. She later received a Master’s degree from Howard Payne University. Rita taught school in the Mullin, Hico, Moran and Bangs school districts. Many of her former students still remember her as their, “favorite English teacher.”
Rita often served as a church organist and pianist throughout the area. Her retirement years were spent researching genealogy with her husband while enjoying her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She has resided at Redstone Assisted Living since 2012.
Rita is survived by her daughter, Vicky Biessener and husband, Richard of Brownwood, one son, Joe Lee of Comanche County, one sister Karen Dansbee and Husband Larry of Magnolia, fourteen grandchildren, Robert Lee, Kristi Jones, Nathan, Sarah, Hanna, Samuel and Curtis Lee, Rachel Davis, Valery Treida, Blake, Tahra and Shayla Biessener, Asha Bowers and Mariah Fields and ten great grandchildren.
Pallbearer’s are all grandsons, Robert Lee, Nathan Lee, Brandon Jones, Robert Davis, Matt Treida and Blake Biessener. Honorary pallbearers are grandsons, Samuel and Curtis Lee, and Tyler Bowers.
Visitation is scheduled at Heartland Funeral Home in Comanche, Texas Thursday evening February 5th from 6 till 8. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Friday, February 6th at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Comanche County. In lieu of flowers, memorials made to the Pregnancy Care Center, 2900 Coggin Avenue, Brownwood, TX (325-646-5433) would be appreciated.
