Glenna Sheppard Lee

Glenna Sheppard Lee, 79, a resident of Cleveland, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 30, 2014 following a sudden illness. She was born on September 28, 1935 at Terry, West Virginia, a true "coal miner's daughter." She was known far and wide for her love for her family, her church, and her Lord. She was the youngest of nine children in the family of William D. and Bessie (Whittington) Sheppard. After graduating from East Bank High School (near Charleston) Glenna moved to Cleveland in 1956 to attend Lee College. She was active in campus life at Lee and received many honors, including being voted Miss Lee College. She and her future husband Ollie Lee, met as freshmen and married in 1961. After graduating from Lee, she attended the University of Tennessee and received the Bachelor of Science in English/Speech and Social Studies from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. When she and Ollie returned to Cleveland in 1967, she served as Dean of Women at Lee College for one year. In 1974 she completed the Associate's degree in nursing at Cleveland State. She worked at Bradley Memorial Hospital and at Bradley County Nursing Home where she served as Director of Nursing for seven years and was elected President of District 4 of the Tennessee Nurses Association. She held numerous offices in TNA and served as a district delegate to its Tennessee convention for over 30 years. She was also a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing since 1982. After earning a Master's degree in nursing from the University of Tennessee, Glenna taught nursing for more than 22 years at Cleveland State Community College. She pursued a doctorate in nursing education at UT and completed all but the dissertation. She earned a number of honors and awards, including Outstanding Faculty Member in 2001 and Outstanding Nurse of the Year in 1975 and 1990. In 2009 she received the emeritus professor award. Glenna and Ollie joined Westmore Church of God in its charter year and she remained a faithful and active member for forty-six years. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was engaged in the World Missions Prayer Class, the Enetha Circle, and the Senior Adult FOCUS class. She was a member of the Gideon Auxiliary for Cleveland South Camp, and regularly attended His Hands Extended prayer services. Glenna was preceded in death by her parents, by her first child, Joel Byron, and by her eight siblings: Myrtle Bearfield, Mildred Sheppard, Lucille Holliday, John Sheppard, Lillian Bragg, Frank Sheppard, Howard Sheppard, and Phyllis Bass. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her beloved husband of fifty-three years, Dr. Ollie Lee. and three sons, Jonathan Lee, Dr. Andrew Lee, and Timothy Lee, all of Cleveland; as well as two daughters-in-law, Patricia Lee and Esmerelda Lee; and six grandchildren, Matthew Lee, Caleb Lee, Joshua Lee, Alexis Lee, Samuel Lee, and Elyssa Lee. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Mae Sheppard, and a host of nieces and nephews in four generations. The celebration of life service will be conducted at 2pm on Monday, January 5, 2015 at the Westmore Church of God in Cleveland, with Rev. Kelvin Page, Rev. Wendell Smith, and Rev. Jason Browning officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be the Westmore Enetha Circle and the Senior Adult FOCUS class. Interment will follow the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 4, 2015 from 5pm to 8pm at Westmore Church of God in Cleveland, and one hour prior to the service on Monday. The family suggests memorial donations be made to either The Gideons, P.O. Box 1163, Cleveland TN 37364-1163 or to the Glenna Sheppard Lee Nursing Fund, c/o Central Gifts, Lee University, Cleveland TN 37320-3450 Fike Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Please visit www.fikefh.com