Lee E. Whitson

Mary Lee Ewell Whitson passed away peacefully with her family by her side on April 11, 2023, just short of her 96th birthday and her 67th wedding anniversary. Lee was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania on April 22, 1927, and grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. Lee was the youngest daughter of Frank and Mary (Ayres) Ewell. Her maternal grandfather was Dr. Brown Ayres, former president of the University of Tennessee for whom Ayres Hall is named. Lee graduated from Knoxville High School and attended the University of Tennessee where she was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She was also a member of the Girl’s Cotillion and the Knoxville Junior League. As a teenager, Lee loved spending summer holidays in Ogunquit, Maine at Rockcrest – the turreted, shingled house built in 1894 had been in her family since 1926. The good times she spent at the beach with her cousins became a tradition that she continued with her husband, children and grandchildren. In 1954, Lee set out on an adventure by bravely moving from Knoxville to New York City by herself. Her Knoxville friends living in New York took her under their wing and helped her settle in. At that time, Lee worked for American Airlines as a travel consultant. At a wedding in the spring of 1955, Lee met her future husband Richard Gardner Whitson. They spent a pleasant summer racing his Austin-Healey on racecourses throughout New England. The couple was married April 14th, 1956, at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church on Fifth Avenue. They lived in an apartment in Tudor City near the UN Building and enjoyed New York City life. Five years later, daughter Paige was born, and the couple moved to Westport, Connecticut. Two years later, son Richard was born. The young family enjoyed many good times with friends and family, sailing and spending time at the beach. While raising her young children, Lee was also president of the Bridgeport Junior League. In nearby Weston, Connecticut Lee supervised the design and construction of a new home. Shortly after the family moved in, Dick was offered a business opportunity in California and the family was off to Los Angeles. After 17 years in Los Angeles, the couple moved again to San Francisco, California and remained there for 15 years. Upon retirement, the couple moved back to Knoxville, Tennessee where Lee had many friends and relatives who welcomed them home with open arms. Lee was always game to move to a new city and start a new adventure. She made friends easily and was devoted to her family. She loved her many pets including a small monkey that she had in New York City. She was interested in business which led to an entrepreneurial venture called Jack-in-the-Pot. Her other business, Whitco, Ltd, allowed her to explore her love of interior design. She was an active member of the Episcopal church wherever she lived including working as a member of the Altar Guild at St. Stephens church in Orinda, CA. In Knoxville she enjoyed playing Bridge and loved times spent with special friends at The Dinner Club. Lee spent the last year of her life in hospice care. Her family would like to express their warm thanks to her caregivers Jessica Stephens, Tiffany Thomas, Barbara Smith, Ashley Gibson, Paieton Kyle and so many others for their extraordinary care and kindness. Lee Whitson was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Gertrude Gardner of Knoxville, TN and Kathryn Ray of Ashville, NC. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Richard Gardner Whitson, Sr; and her daughter, Paige Whitson of San Francisco, CA; her son, Richard Whitson, Jr. and daughter-in-law Signe Whitson of Allentown, PA; as well as her 2 granddaughters, Hannah Whitson and Elise Whitson. A private family service will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension. Donations in her name may be made to the church at 800 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com . Additional photos can also be seen on the Rose Funeral & Cremation - Mann website.

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Lee E. Whitson

April 22, 1927 - April 11, 2023