Esther Kay Lee

Esther Kay Lee, 67, passed away peacefully at her home in Houston, Texas on February 14, 2026. Esther was born on September 4, 1958 to parents Cecil Vernon Cazel and Hazel Belle Bowles in Olney, Illinois. She married Jack Lee Jr., also of Olney, in 1978 and relocated to Houston, Texas. Esther was a kind-hearted and warm person who became friends with everyone she met. Through Esther’s love of art and children, she was involved in many community activities throughout the years. She served in the Katy Area Parents of Multiples (KAPOM), contributed mosaic art to the memory wall at Smither Park, worked as a children’s photographer, caregiver and teacher, and enjoyed aquatic fitness classes. Through all of these activities and more, Esther made lasting friendships with so many people who cared deeply about her. Esther was a wife, mother, and grandmother who dearly loved her family and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Survivors include her husband Jack, twin daughters Melinda Lee (Brock Nedland) and Melissa Richard (Russell), grandsons Lewis and Henry Nedland, grandsons Arthur and Edwin Richard, mother Hazel “Ande” Sterchi, sister Sherri Brazil (Phil Novak), stepbrother Kevin Sterchi, brothers-in-law Robert Lee (Diane) and Patrick Lee (Denise), sister-in-law Cynthia Lee, and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Esther is preceded in death by her father Cecil “Ben” Cazel, stepfather Elmer Sterchi, stepsister Terri Novak, father-in-law Jack Lee Sr., mother-in-law Mary Anola Lee, brother-in-law Timothy Lee, and sister-in-law Lisa Ruiz. Esther dedicated her section of the Smither Park memory wall to her late lifelong friend Tami Hunley Tracy. A service celebrating Esther’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 24, 2026 in the Chapel of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. The family will receive guests starting at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Esther’s memory to The Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance, a foundation that provides financial support to scientific research focused on the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of individuals with autoimmune encephalitis. More information can be found at https://aealliance.org/. Expressions of remembrance and condolences are welcome and may be left for the family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd. (Hwy 59 South @ FM 2218), Rosenberg, Texas 77471, Phone: 281-341-8800.

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Esther Kay Lee

September 4, 1958 - February 14, 2026