Shirley Kay Lee lived a life well lived, filled with faith, love, family and service to others. On Sunday, September 27, 2026, Jesus welcomed her home where we can imagine Him saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Shirley passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her beloved husband of 55 years, James Richard Lee, and their family.

One of fifteen children born to Glenn & Marguerite (Abbott) Cook, she was born on December 17, 1934 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Shirley was an amazing athlete who played college basketball and softball at Asbury College. Her love for people and her faith were at the heart of her life. Jim and Shirley met at the Nazarene Church in Bunkerhill Township, where Shirley faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and poured her heart into the lives of teenagers.

Shirley had taught first grade at Fairview Elementary School in Lansing, helped her husband on the farm, and also worked as a bakery manager, but was proudest of her career as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

On June 26, 1971, in Leslie, Michigan, she married James Richard Lee and together Jim and Shirley opened their hearts and home to foster teenage boys. Their love for children eventually grew into a family of nine children, whom they raised with unwavering love and devotion: Chris (Kim) Lee, Ed (Diane) Lee, Christiana (Mark) Wells, Ben (Rhonda) Lee, Sheila (Mark) Bloom, Nicola (Shawn) Rickard, Dana (Scott) Brown, Imogene (Shawn) Wiers, and Danielle (Joshua) Gaerte.

Shirley's greatest joy was her family. She leaves behind twenty-nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, with the eleventh arriving in March… each carrying a part of her love and legacy.

She is also survived by her brothers, George Cooke, Larry (Sharon) Cook, and Jack (Darlene) Cook, and her sister, Barb (Wayne) Vibbert, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn & Marguerite; a son-in-law, Mark Bloom; two grandchildren, Jacob Rickard and Branden Councilman; ten brothers and sisters; and many siblings-in-laws and other beloved family.

Shirley's life was a beautiful testimony of faith, perseverance, generosity, and unconditional love. She gave of herself freely-to her husband, children, grandchildren, her church and countless lives she touched.

Though our hearts are heavy with her passing, we rejoice that Shirley is now home with her Saviour. Her earthly work is finished, her race has been run and her legacy of love will continue through the many lives she touched.

Visitation with the family is from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the Sumner Center Church of the Nazarene, 3100 N. Warner Road, Sumner, Michigan 48889, where memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Pastor John Wright will officiate and a luncheon will follow the ceremony. Burial will take place later at Bunker Hill Cemetery near Dansville, Michigan.

Instead of flowers, Shirley would have appreciated contributions in her memory to her church, the Sumner Center Church of the Nazarene.  Envelopes will be available at the church.

Well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome home, Shirley.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Shirley’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638