Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-19
Nell Beloved Lady of Hamp-
ton Passes Away.
VICTIM OF HEART FAILURE
Though a Sufferer From the Disease,
Mrs Lee Was Not Supposed To Be
In Serious condition-Funeral at ST.
johns Today.

Mrs. Mary Ester Simkins Lee, one
of the most generally beloved women
in Hampton, and widow 6 the late
Major Baker p. Lee, Confederate SOL
der. jurist and writer, died suddenly
in her residence. in Mallory avenue,
at 1910 O'Clock yesterday afternoon
from an attack OF heart trouble. Al
though Mrs. Lee had suffered from
the disease since the deah OF her dis-
tinguished husband nine years ago,
her condition was not considered seri-
Gus and the announcement OF ne:
death came as shock to her FAMILY
and he People generally OF this city.
She had contracted the disea:e dlr-
ing the illness CT Major Lee.
Almost up to the moment OF the
death summons Mrs. Ice was cheer
fl aud gave no intimaticn of tet Ing
i'll. Ia fact, she had told E'r family
that she felt much improved. Within
a few seconds after the attack came
upon her, Mrs. Lee had passed peace
fully asleep and her death was as e
rene as her long life had been beaut:-
full
Mrs Lee was born in Tower Han.
Northampton county, Va, February
%. 1898. and was therefore 70 years
old. she was the daughter CT the
late rr. Jesse Jarvis Simkins. an emil
neht physician in his dav, and grand
daughter of the late Major Arthur
Simkins. She was a girl of great
beauty and wonderful charm OF man.
ner and in her younger days was q
social favcrite and leader. On No
vember H. 1855. she became the bride
of Major Lee. who at that time re-
sided with his father, Baker Perkins
Lee, in York county. For fifty years
she was a constant source of inspira-
ton and assistance TO Major Lee. who
later became distinguished on the Cor
federate field. and afterwards served
Elizabeth City and Warwick counties
as Judge legislator and in other Off
cial positions.
Mrs. Lee gave much of her life e
the upbuilding of St. Johns Episcopal
church and the cause of Christianity
in general She was the president %
the Ladies' Auxiliary of the church
al the time CT her death. and t'w
communicates worked more diligently
and more earnestly for the cause than
she did
Survived by Seven Children.
Seven children were born to Major
and Mrs Lee, and all of them sur
vive. They are: Goodwin Lee, OF
New York: Rev. Baker p. Lee. Jr.,
of Los Angeles, Cal; Lcxley Lee. OF
Philadelphia: Mrs. Harry Wise Book
er, OF Hampton; r. II. Lee. of Hamp-
ton: Frank Lee, cashier of the New
port News shipyard. and Arthur Lee
assistant cashier OF the Newport News
First National Bank. Her only sur
viving sister is Mrs. Fannie Simkins
Fitchett, of Hampton
Funeral This Afternoon.
Funeral services will be conducted
from old St Johns Episcopal church
at 4 o'clock this afternoon and will
be conducted by Rev. Reverdy Estill,
ID. D.. the rector.
The following will act as the pail
bearers:
w. c. l. Tsliaferro, r. Lee DAVIS.
Marshall Booker. jacob Hefielhnger,
Selden Jpres, Capt. Jesse Smkins
Jones, Judge Edgar z. Montague and
DIR. JAMS T. Bouteile-
Active-Messrs. Eldridge s. Jones.
Allen ID. jones. Paul Tabb. Bayard
Lee. Baker Young. l. F. Whiting. Ar
thur Segar and r. c. Lee.
The members of the Ladies' Aid
Society OF ST. Johns Church will meet
in the parish house this afternoon at
s:45 o'clock to attend the fur.-ral serv-
ices Of Mrs. lee. who was president
Of he society.