Gail Lee

Precious Memories

Gail Ann Lee

You are not forgotten, loved one Nor will you ever be, As long as life and memory last,

we will remember thee. We miss you now, our hearts are sore, as time goes by

we’ll miss you more. Your loving smile, your gentle face,

no one can fill your vacant place.

Gail Ann Lee was born on July 12, 1946, in Denver, Colorado to her parents, Gertrude Simmons and Robert Cowan.  She was the first child born in the family.  She was raised surrounded by her brothers, Kenneth, Gary, and Joseph.  As a child, she is remembered as being a bit mischievous.  She would do things to get her brothers in trouble.  She often had to discipline them to help her mother.  Her brother Gary set the family couch on fire and blamed it on her until it was revealed that he had caused the fire. She grew up surrounded by many cousins and they too shared many memorable moments together.

Gail received her formal education in Denver, Colorado.  She was determined to complete her high school education and she graduated from Manual High School in 1967. In May of 1969, Gail married, William Melvin Lee, Sr.  They first met in Denver and exchanged vows at the City and County Building in Denver.  The couple is remembered as hosting many family events in their home.  To this union, Paletha, Brian, and William, Jr. were born.  They remember traveling back and forth to the family home in Oklahoma.  Brian remembers a story of the time when Gail and Shugsy had gone horse back riding and the horse threw them off. She sustained minor injuries and Shugsy broke his back.  Gail was there to give care and love. Paletha also remembers she and her mother wearing the same size clothes, which allowed her to wear her mother’s clothes to school.  Brian remembers how upset she was when he stayed out all night. Donell remembers he and Shuksy riding with mom on her RTD routes.  William remembers going to see the Color Purple and his mom asking “are you crying” and they both started laughing.   She was always a loving and devoted mother, who would always listen.  The family shared many happy and precious moments together.  Her husband, William preceded her in death.  She was later blessed with eight grandchildren, Ebony, Dayon, Victor, Brian, Brandon, Gavin, DeShawn, and Aaron. They too shared many happy and memorable moments together.  Gail also was blessed with fourteen great grandchildren, who were an additional source of joy and pride in her life.  All the grand and great grandchildren, lovingly called her “Granny or Granny Gail.”

By profession, Gail was employed as an EKG Technician with St. Anthony and Denver General Hospital, and a Bus Driver for RTD. She was one of the first African American female Truck Drivers in Colorado.  Wherever employed, she was hardworking, dedicated and performed her duties with a spirit of excellence.

A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Gail was a member of Peoples Missionary Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado.  She believed in the power of prayer and having the right relationship with the Lord.  She remained a member until the churches closure.

Gail was a fun-loving woman who enjoyed life and those she encircled.  In her free time, she enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends.  She loved visiting the “Hills”, eating grapefruit, peanut butter, watching crime movies, and family feud. She carried a jovial personality and did not mind lending a helping hand to others.  She was frank and direct and often spoke her mind.  She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful woman.  To know Gail was to love her.

Gail Ann Lee departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on February 24, 2023, surrounded by her family.  Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her children, Paletha R. (Tommy) Barnes of Elmore City, Oklahoma, Brian L. Lee, Sr. and William M. Lee, Jr. both of Denver, Colorado; 8 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 4 nephews and a host of cousins, other relatives and many friends