Mary Jane "Janie" Eddleman Lee, of Athens, died Friday, March 14, 2008, at Athens Regional Medical Center.

Born Nov. 14, 1927, she was a native of Monroe County, and a resident of McMinn County for most of her life. She was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Georgie "Hunk" Tate Eddleman Lee and Irad W. Lee Sr.; her husband of 60 years, Clifton "Doc" Lee Jr., on March 6, 2006; two sisters, Anna Ruth Lee Bartlett and Dorothy Eddleman Hambaugh; one brother-in-law, Ben Blake Bartlett; one niece, Lura Lee Bartlett; one nephew, Spec. 2nd Class Benjamin Trey Bartlett; and three nephews, Stephen Hambaugh, Alton Butch Eddleman and Warner "Jeff" Eddleman. She was a stay at home mother who kept her family first and foremost, and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, VFW Post 5146 Ladies Auxiliary and DAV. She was a former employee of Athens Products.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Rebecca Lee and Bill Kirkpatrick and Mary J. Lee-Baer and David "Rusty" Baer, all of Athens; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Alton and Jewell Eddleman of Boerne, Texas, David Lee of Lenoir City, Lindy and Johnnie-Sue McConkey of the Bethlehem community, and Irad Lee Jr. and Jean Lee of Madisonville; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Barbara Lee and Bob Pennington of Madisonville, and Sarah Lee and Bill Orman of Soddy Daisy; granddaughters and families, Noelle Cline and Jason Respert, Nikki N. Cline Overton and Sam Overton and Sabra Cline; one great-grandson, Isaiah James Respert; one brother-in-law, P.C. Hambaugh Jr. of Athens; two nephews and spouses, Bill and Tedi Hambaugh of Athens, and Pete and Cathy Hambaugh of Madisonville.

We want to thank Athens Emergency staff for all the help over the past three years, Amedisys and the B-wing nurses. Our special friends and loved ones, Dr. Charles Cox and Dr. Vickie Turnbough, who have been more than our physicians, but our support through both illnesses. We want to thank the staff of Willow Acres for the 18 months they cared for "Janie." But most specially, we love and thank Julie, Joe and Taylor Hodgins, and Shayna for the loving special care they gave "Janie Bug" at home these past months. They are very special treasures from God. Our mother loved her animals and birds.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Hendree Harrison officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Athens/McMinn County Humane Society, P.O. Box 7, Athens, TN 37371-007 for a voucher to spay or neuter an animal, or St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 123 S. Jackson St., Athens, TN 37303.

Those not able to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com