Patty Petrea Lee

Patty Petrea Lee, age 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 19, 2025. She was born on November 3, 1934 in Cabarrus County, the daughter of the late C. McNeil Petrea and Forrest Hopper Petrea.

Patty graduated from A.L. Brown High School in 1953. She attended Appalachian State Teachers College where she studied elementary education. Patty met the love of her life, William F. Lee (Bill), at Appalachian State and they were married on November 18, 1956. Patty received her Bachelor of Science degree in May 1957 and became a teacher at Shadybrook Elementary School in Kannapolis. Patty and Bill moved to Ohio in 1960 when Bill accepted a job at Clinton County Air Force base. Patty took a position with the Beaver Creek School District where she taught third grade for the duration of her career. After retirement in 1985, she and Bill returned to Kannapolis where they made their home on Tuckaseegee Road. Over the years Patty and Bill hosted many wonderful social events at their barn for family and friends. She will be remembered for creating those special times. Patty had a great love for the outdoors and enjoyed traveling, riding horses and gardening.

Patty was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Lee, and by her siblings Betty Kornowski, Wayne Petrea, Anita Riggsbee, Mary Goolsby McKnight and Macky Petrea.

She will continue to be remembered and cherished by her many nieces and nephews, Deborah Nesbitt, Beverly Bates, Kathy Smart, Mike Petrea, Joe Kornowski, Paul Kornowski, Neil Goolsby, Chad Petrea and Page McWhirter. In addition she will be missed by her longtime friend and sister-in-law Judy Petrea, and brother-in-law Eric McNight, and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

The family would like to recognize and thank Deborah and Terry Nesbitt for the many years they have been the primary caregivers for Patty. Through their love and patience Patty was able to live in the surroundings she so loved. In addition the family would like to thank the staff of Atrium Health Hospice of Cabarrus County for their support and guidance.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Bethpage Presbyterian Church Cemetery with the Reverend Valerie Hicks presiding. Visitation for family and friends will be in the Church Fellowship Hall immediately following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Bethpage Presbyterian Church, 6020 Mooresville Road, Kannapolis NC 28081.

Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com