Rosa L Lee

The Mother of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Sister Rosa L. Lee, age 91, passed away peacefully as her wind chimes sang a soft melody on a beautiful morning in her family home on Friday, September 16, 2022. All earthly works are now finished, and Mother Lee is at rest. 

Rosa Lee was born to James Washington Patterson and Sireana Ray Patterson, on July 29, 1931, in Campti, Louisiana. She attended Public School in Natchitoches Parish Grade School District. Rosa accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at the age of eleven in 1942 at the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Campti, Louisiana.

Rosa moved with her parents and siblings to Alamogordo, New Mexico. Being one of the first African Americans to settle in Alamogordo, her father was blessed with an opportunity to accept a position at the Alamogordo Prestige Sawmill, and the life of the Patterson’s flourished in New Mexico. Rosa attended the segregated Delaware School in Alamogordo and was an exceptional student. Her teacher quite often asked Rosa to take charge of the class if the teacher needed to leave the classroom. As a young girl, Rosa, worked making hamburgers in a neighborhood café and was often asked, “Where is the girl who makes those good hamburgers?”

She met her soulmate at Corinth Baptist Church in Alamogordo and was united in marriage to Malvin Lee on May 2, 1948. This union was blessed with five children. After twenty-five years of marriage, her husband passed away, September 8, 1973. 

Her strong faith in Christ flourished and had been on the Christian battlefield ever since. In September 1955, she was one of the original members who organized New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Alamogordo and was the last remaining Charter Member. Mother Lee’s ministry included the Women’s Missionary Society, a Deaconess of the church, Sunday School Teacher, Sunshine Band teacher/director, Neighborhood Walk for Christ, Senior Choir President, Baptist Training Union Director, Program and Decorating Committee Chairperson. She was a former member of the New Hope District Association, NM and the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church State Convention, NM Inc. Her Deaconess’s love for children had always been a special part of her life. She was determined to teach them right from wrong. The young people often listened respectfully. It was not uncommon to hear them calling her Momma Lee or Granny.

Mother Lee was preceded in death by her parents, James Washington Patterson and Sireana Ray Patterson; sister, Angela Lee Patterson; brothers, Ray O. Patterson, O’Neal Patterson, and Willie James Patterson; her sons, Charles Edward Lee and Larry Alvin Lee; grandchildren, Dorian Leon Lee and Eric Charles Lee.

She leaves to cherish her fond memories two daughters, Deborah Ann Lee Ludd (Vincent) of Bakersfield, California and First Lady Margaret L. Avery (Pastor Willard Avery) of Alamogordo, New Mexico; son, Terry Leon Lee (deceased Pamela) of Compton, California; sister-in-law, Geneva Patterson; grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, special extended children, Mary Ford (deceased Pastor Thomas), and Pastor Artis Allen (First Lady Lovie); special cousin, Ethel Howard (deceased Jaime); as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

Home Going Celebration for Mother, Sister Rosa L. Lee will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, September 24, 2022, at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 308 Maryland Avenue, with Pastor Willard L. Avery officiating. 

Burial will follow at Monte Vista Cemetery.

The Lee family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.

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