Fannie Lee Pickens Lee

Fannie Lee Pickens Lee, of Racine, Ohio passed away at 11:13 A.M. Thursday, August 14, 2014 in the Camden Clark Medical Center, Parkersburg, West Virginia. Lee is preceded in death by her loving husband, John Richard “Dick” Lee on August 15, 1989, her parents, Louis Elmer Pickens and Nette Belle Pickens, a brother James DePrieste Pickens, sisters-in-law Claudia Doreen Pickens, Wilma Harrison, Rose Clarke, brothers-in-law, J.W. “Jake” Lee and Russell Lee.

Lee was originally from Mt. Gilead, Ohio and was a proud graduate of Wittenburg University with a degree in Music and English. Soon after, she moved to Racine and has been a vital part of the community ever since. Lee touched the lives of generations of students at Southern Local School District as a devoted music teacher and choir director. She was also the organist and accompanist for Racine United Methodist Church for decades and remained active even after her retirement from the school district. Lee was a President of the United Methodist Women’s Association and an Honorary member of the West Ohio Conference of United Methodist Women. Lee was a member of the American Association of University Women and a member of Alpha Delta Gamma sorority. She was also active in the Racine chapter of Eastern Star where she was the chapter’s organist and participated in Helping Hands Ministry. Creative in many ways, Lee was also an avid crafter and enjoyed sharing her creations with others.

She is survived by her loving niece Lisa Picken (Jaime) Silva of Gahanna, Ohio, niece, Eliza Tassian Gantt, Indian Hill, Ohio, niece, Kitsa Tassian Rhoad, Indian Hill, Ohio sisters-in-law Helen Lee of Mason, Ohio, Norma Lee Tassian of Cincinnati, Ohio and many nieces and nephews as well as her church and community friends and her former students. The family wishes to thank Joyce Ann Ritchie and Mary Ann Scholtz for their loving care and friendship.

Lee requested a simple graveside service, officiated by the Rev. Roger Grace, which will be held on Sunday, August 24th at 1:00pm at Letart Falls Cemetery in Letart Township. All are welcome to attend the service and join the family immediately afterward for fellowship and refreshments at the Racine United Methodist Church in Racine.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Southern Local School District , 920 Elm St., Racine, OH 45771) in honor of her years of service and devotion to teaching music.

Funeral services are entrusted to the Cremeens Funeral Home, Racine. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.cremeensfuneralhomes.com