Anna Lee Obituary

Anna Verne Lee

Anna Verne (Smith) Lee, 91, of Somerset, Kentucky and formerly of Vanlue, entered her eternal home close to noon Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, while residing at Somerset Nursing and Rehabilitation.

She was born Feb. 25, 1933, in Kampala, Uganda, the daughter of missionary parents, Robert K. Smith and Catharine E. (Biesecker) Smith. Her formative years were spent in Kenya, Africa. She married David W. Lee on June 14, 1958, after completing college in the United States.

Anna Verne is survived by three children, Rebecca Anne (Dan) Perkins of Greensburg, Indiana, Esther Catharine (Gregory) Barron of Somerset, Kentucky, and John (Sarah) Lee of Westfield, Indiana; four grandchildren, Laura, Jace, Gwyneth, and Quinn; brother, David Smith of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; and sister, Sarah Maragaret (Les) Werner of Clarkston, Washington.

She was preceded in death by her parents; older brother, John M. Smith; and husband of 55 years, David W. Lee.

Anna Verne was a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School, Kentucky Mountain Bible College, and earned her BS from Asbury University and Master of Nursing from Case Western Reserve University. She and her husband, David, ministered in Kenya where she gave herself in service in various capacities such as nurse, station hostess, secretary, teacher, translator, and editor. From there, they returned to World Gospel Mission headquarters in Marion, Indiana where she worked in the Printing Department as an editor and later in Prayer Ministries with David until 1990. She finished her employment as a nurse and educator while living in Lewiston, Idaho.

Anna Verne was a member of West Independence United Methodist Church, though living in other places. She is an example of one who "bloomed where planted." She was devoted to God and her husband, David. She was one in whom the British influence of afternoon tea reigned. She kept sharp in mind enough to be humorous with care-givers and visitors who came to the nursing facility. She enjoyed knitting, quilting, embroidery, crosswords, dot-to-dot drawing (in her declining years), and reading.

Anna Verne's funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at West Independence Church, Fostoria. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Pastor Ben Wallick will officiate. Burial will follow at Lee Cemetery near Vanlue.

Memorial contributions may be given to World Gospel Mission or West Independence Church in Anna Verne's name in care of Stombaugh-Batton & Snyder Funeral Home, 225 W. Findlay St., Carey, Ohio, 43316.

Stombaugh Batton & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve Anna's family and encourages those wishing to send a condolence or fond memory to visit www.stombaughbatton.com.