Mildred Spurling Lee

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Mildred Spurling Lee, 93, of Concord. Mildred entered into rest on Friday, October 17, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 24, 1932 to the late John Gaston and Lou Ella Spurling.

Raised on a farm in Cleveland County, N.C. with her six siblings, she learned the value of hard work, faith and family at an early age. After graduating from Belwood High School, she attended King’s College, to study business and began shaping the strong, capable woman so many came to admire. Her faith was present throughout her life and remained a source of strength and fellowship in her later years.

A loving wife to her husband Ralph, she cared for him through sickness and health, with quiet strength and unwavering love, until his passing. The same strength and devotion she showed in marriage carried through every part of her life. A nurturing mother to their four daughters, Mildred’s warmth and generosity extended far beyond her own home. Her family continued to grow, blessing her with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who adored her stories, her cooking and the lively quick wit and wisdom that made her unforgettable.

Mildred could often be found with her hands busy in the garden, in the kitchen baking something warm and comforting, or at her sewing machine stitching quilts that have become family treasures. She loved old Westerns; especially John Wayne and never tired of a classic cowboy story about courage, loyalty and heart.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Bertie Lee Tillman; five brothers, Ellis, Ralph, Earl, Fred and Roy Spurling; her husband, Ralph Lee; her son in law, Bill Blake; and grandson, Josh Hartsell.

To her family, she was the cornerstone - a woman whose wisdom and warmth shaped each generation that followed. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Teresa Blake, Donna Boone and husband Mark, Sherri Hartsell and husband Johnny, and Wanda Lee; her grandchildren, Chad Boone, Brandon Blake, Jessica Moody, Brittany Bandy, Christin Renfrow, Christopher Renfrow, Alyssa Putt and Shaina Putt; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren and a large loving family that extends four generations. Mildred’s story will live on in the laughter of her family, the recipes passed down through the years and the deep roots she planted in every heart she touched.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Whitley’s Funeral Home, 1748 Dale Earnhardt Blvd, Kannapolis. Pastor James Strickland will officiate. The family will receive loved ones prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. at Whitley’s Funeral Home. Graveside Burial to follow at Carolina Memorial Park of Concord-Kannapolis, 601 Mt. Olivet Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Atrium Health Hospice and Palliative Care - Cabarrus Fund at fundraise.atriumhealthfoundation.org. Memorial and honorary gifts may also be mailed to Atrium Health Foundation at 7800 Providence Road, Suite 208, Charlotte, NC 28226.