Louise Lai Lee Gee of Sumner, Mississippi passed away December 31, 2021 at home surrounded by her loving family.
Louise was born in Dumas, AR on January 23, 1945. Whenever she was asked for her birth date she would always jokingly say “12345.” Her parents, Eugene and Gam Len Lee owned a supermarket in Dumas which is where she learned how to run a cash register, stock shelves, and engage with customers.
She was popular in high school and was even a cheerleader, which was unusual in that time period for an Asian-American.
After high school, she briefly attended the University of Arkansas but ended her studies when she married Jimmy Gee of Sumner, MS on August 16, 1964. After moving to Sumner, Louise helped run Jimmy’s family grocery store.
Louise was renowned in Sumner for her baking skills, especially her lemon cakes and pecan tassies. Sometimes her neighbors would order cakes from her for special occasions. She provided many baked goods over the years to support her two sons’ school fundraising events.
She was also renowned for her quilting skills and over the years her quilts made their way to the homes of many grateful friends and relatives. Her biggest claim to fame was being featured in the book “Partly Colored: Asian Americans and Racial Anomaly in the Segregated South” by Leslie Bow where Louise’s photo appears on the front cover (https://www.amazon.com/Partly-
Colored.../dp/0814791336 ).
Louise was a devoted wife to her husband Jimmy as well as a loving mother to two sons: Jay (Nita) Gee of Atlanta, GA, Corey (Elizabeth) Gee of Sumner, MS.
Louise is preceded in death by her husband Jimmy Gee; parents Eugene and Gam Len Lee; brother Ronald Lee; sister Delores Chew.
She is survived by her brothers Joe Lee, King Lee, Eugene Lee, Jr.; her sisters Elisa Pang, Clara Lee; many nieces and nephews, Five grandchildren: Saylor Gee, Hunter Gee, Laura Melton, Chelsea Melton, Scott Melton and one grandchild Ryker Gee.
A Graveside Service was held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sumner, MS Monday, January 3, 2022 at 10:00 am. under the direction of Meredith Nowell Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be sent to First Baptist Church, 400 Cassidy Street, Sumner, MS 38957, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 South Danny Thomas Blvd, Memphis, TN 38105.
