Willie Mae “Suzie” Lee Dennis, a native and life-long resident of Pelham, died Monday, May 4, 2009, peacefully at her home. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Pelham for 76 years and taught Sunday School for over 70 years. She was the last member of the John P. Lee, Sr. family to be affiliated with First Baptist Pelham. That association was unbroken for nearly 80 years.
Mrs. Dennis was the first clerk of the City of Pelham, as well as the first certified city clerk in Shelby County. She served as clerk under Mayors Paul Yeager and Burke Dunaway. She retired from her position after 20 years, 1964-1984. For the next 20 years, she worked for Pelham Marble Company as secretary and bookkeeper.
“Suzie” was preceded in death by her parents, John P. Lee, Sr. and Maurine E. (Lee) Lee; husband, Walter E. (Ed) Dennis; brother, John P. Lee, Jr. and his wife Frances (Pickett) Lee; and nephews, Michael David Coleman and John Robert Lee.
Survivors include brothers, James E. (Corinne) Lee of Pelham and Joe W. (Mary Ann) Lee of Chelsea; sisters, Ollie (Cecil) Brown of Gadsden, Dollie (Carter) Childs of Brandon, Florida, and Julia (Lamon) Roy of Alabaster; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at First Baptist Church of Pelham. The funeral service will be at the church at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2009, with Drs. Michael Shaw and Cecil Brown officiating. Interment will be in Pelham City Cemetery with nephews serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff and member of First Baptist Pelham and employees and former employees of the City of Pelham.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to caregivers Bobbie, Carmen, Angela, Mary, Pam, and Alacare Home Health and Hospice.
Knowing Willie Mae’s deep love for her church, in lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 2867 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, AL 35124. Phone 205-664-0237.
Arrangements were made by Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home, Pelham.