Oveda Joyce Horten Lee, 79, of Alapaha died Tuesday September 26, 2017 in Tift Regional Medical Center.

She was born May 19, 1938 in Berrien County to the late Lucious J. Horten and the late Toye Suggs. She was a member of Glory United Methodist Church.

After an unexpected massive heart attack Sunday night, Mrs. Oveda Lee passed away at 10:30 am Tuesday morning in transit between Tifton and Albany to receive prospective open heart surgery. Battling a deteriorating memory for the past five years, the tireless 79-year-old and former Berrien Primary School paraprofessional always put the Lord first, loved company, cooking, canning vegetables, barbecuing for neighbors during the holidays (admittedly she could get irritated with Mr. Slim & speak her mind when it came to inviting the whole town ha-ha). Just a truly remarkable woman who encouraged all to never give up in who and what we believed in.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years: Kenneth "Slim" Lee of Alapaha; daughter: Lynn (Mike) Griffin of Kennesaw; son: Kenny Lee of Alapaha; 3 grandchildren who called her Annie: Miranda (Thomas) Matthews of Valdosta, Caleb and Micah Griffin of Kennesaw; 3 great grandchildren: Ryleigh, Emma and Lily; 2 sisters: Bonnie Owen of Alapaha and Vanita Steverson of Nashville; 3 brothers: T.J. Horten of Alapaha, Jerry Horten and Perry Horten both of Tifton.

Funeral services will be held Friday September 29, 2017 at 11 AM in the Chapel of Lovein Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Hauser and the Rev. Billy Roberts officiating. Interment will follow in Glory Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday 6 to 8 PM.