Jill Ellen Welch Lee's Obituary
Mrs. Jill Ellen Welch Lee, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend quietly left her physical body at 1:10 pm Thursday, March 24th. She was in her home, in the loving comfort of her family. Jill was 54 years of age, and a resident of Tulsa since 1998. Having been born June 28, 1950 to William and Lilly(Louise) Welch and raised in Toledo, Ohio, she married Jerome Lee, also of Toledo, on September 17, 1977. She was an inspiration to everyone she met and never met a stranger-only a new friend. She had a dedication and passion for helping people and exemplified these attributes to everyone she met, inspiring them with both her words and her actions. Jill received her elementary and secondary education through the Toledo Public School System. She completed her graduate and undergraduate degrees at the University of Toledo, in the field of Guidance and Counseling. Jill had a long career in, and a passion for education; first working at the University of Toledo, and then INROADS, Inc., of Toledo, Ohio. She soon found that her true gift was in counseling students, and after moving to Tulsa, she became a Counselor at Memorial High School, where she was loved and admired by all of her co-workers and students. As an educator and advocate for the young, Jill received numerous awards and honors throughout her profession for her tremendous contributions. Jill acknowledged the Lord as her Savior at an early age and served as a Deaconess at First Church of God in Toledo, Ohio. She became a faithful member of Higher Dimensions Family Church after moving to Tulsa. She leaves to cherish her legacy her loving husband of 27 years, Jerome Lee; two daughters, Jacinda Lee of Oklahoma City and Jennifer (Emanuel) Rutherford of Colts Neck, NJ; one son, Jordan Zachery Lee of Tulsa; one brother, Thomas Welch of Tucson, AZ; two sisters, Shirley (Steven) Jones of Dallas, TX, Gail Welch of San Antonio, TX; one grandson; Jaidyn Darius Rutherford of Colts Neck, NJ, aunt; Mildred Wood, of Toledo, OH, nephew; Sean Jones, of Dallas, TX, and a host of relatives and friends. Her father, mother, one brother, and a son (Jared Christopher) preceded her in death. Funeral services will be held at Higher Dimensions Family Church, 8621 S. Memorial on Saturday, April 2nd at 11:00 am. Bishop Carlton D. Pearson, Officiating. A Memorial service will be held at the First Church of God, 3016 Collingwood, Toledo, Ohio on Wednesday, April 6th at 11:00 am. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support and special thanks to the nurses and home health aides at Hospice of St. Francis. The family requests that memorials or gifts be given to Saint Francis Hospice Care in Jill’s name.Survived By: She leaves to cherish her legacy her loving husband of 27 years, Jerome Lee; two daughters, Jacinda Lee of Oklahoma City and Jennifer (Emanuel) Rutherford of Colts Neck, NJ; one son, Jordan Zachery Lee of Tulsa; one brother, Thomas Welch of Tucson, AZ; two sisters, Shirley (Steven) Jones of Dallas, TX, Gail Welch of San Antonio, TX; one grandson; Jaidyn Darius Rutherford of Colts Neck, NJ, aunt; Mildred Wood, of Toledo, OH, nephew; Sean Jones, of Dallas, TX, and a host of relatives and friends. Her father, mother, one brother, and a son (Jared Christopher) preceded her in death.
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