Lauret Eugene Lee

Lauret (La Jean) Eugene Lee-Mayes was born in Wasco, California on September 8, 1948, the second child of 5 siblings to the union of Cecil Lee and Mildred Lee who preceded her in death. She was raised by her father George W McCrady who also preceded her in death.

Lauret lived in Madera, California. Most of her life, as a small child she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior where she attended Knox Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.

As a student she was very smart, graduating from Madera High School in 1966. She furthered her education by attending 4 C’s College in Fresno majoring in Business. She worked for a dentist for many years in Madera until his retirement.

Lauret held many jobs in Madera, including the Winery, The Unemployment Office and Oberti Olives for 23 years until it closed. She also was a school bus driver for Laidlaw. Her hobbies were collecting Betty Boop items. In her past time she enjoyed poem writing, cooking and singing. She was blessed with a heavenly voice and loved dancing while throwing up her hands and saying “that’s my jam.” She also enjoyed shopping. She loved spending time with her family, her three children, ten grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, who all called her “Mama Jean.” Lauret knew no strangers; she was always outgoing and friendly to everyone she met, while joking and filling the room with laughter and joy.

Lauret leaves to cherish her memories, her husband Ronald Mayes of Madera, daughter Alicia Goins of Fresno, 2 sons Anthony Barnett of Madera and Shanon Lee of Susanville, California, 3 brothers Milton Lee of Madera, Sidney Lee of Fresno, Nathanial Lee of Sacramento, 4 sisters Cecilia Murphy and Marjanna Smith both of Fresno, Twliegh Lee and Miyoshi Young both of Sacramento and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.