Rhoda Lee

Rhoda Lee, 88, of Lorain, quietly departed this life at her home on Sunday, July 7, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Rhoda, daughter of the late Eddie Lee and Lennie (Vaughn) Lee, was born September 14, 1935, in Jackson, Mississippi. The Lee family moved to Youngstown, Ohio when Rhoda was seven years old. Rhoda attended and graduated from the City of Youngstown public schools. She went on to graduate from Youngstown State University. A life-long believer, she joined Greater St. Matthew A.M.E. Church, where she was a dedicated member. At Greater St. Matthew, she served faithfully as a member of the Steward Board and Jack Rutledge Missionary Society. From an early age, Rhoda led a life of purpose. She was in Chicago in 1968 as a delegate at the Democratic Convention when Hubert Humphry was nominated. Her name is inscribed on the Wall of Tolerance at the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama.

Professionally, Rhoda worked in Youngstown as a Community Service Specialist for the local Community Action Agency, a Communications Specialist with the Warren-Trumbull Urban League Anti-Crime Task Force, and, in 1977, as Assistant Auditor for the Auditor of State, Thomas Ferguson. She served as Auditor in Residence at Youngstown State University from 1978 to 1981. While in Youngstown she was a radio and TV personality for seven years broadcasting as 'Rhoda Reports' on WFMJ radio. She moved to Lorain in 1981.

Rhoda loved and was loved by many. She was widely admired for her outspokenness and fearless ability to speak truth to issues. She spent her life encouraging others to believe in themselves, to create better lives for themselves and their children, and to challenge assumptions and practices designed to hold people back or allowed people to be marginalized in any way. She brought about change one issue and one person at a time.

For her efforts, Rhoda was recognized with the following awards: Freedom Inc. Community Service Award, Meritorious Service Award from the National NAACP, Black Knights Police Community Service Award, Warren-Trumbull Urban League Guild Public Relations Award, Warren Ohio NAACP Community Service Award, Black Knights Police Association Lifetime Membership Award, VFW Donal Lockett Post 6488 Community Service Award, Youngstown Board of Health Appreciation Certificate, NAACP Living Black History Honoree (2006), Whitney Young Jr. Award from the Boy Scouts of America, Lorain County Minority Law Enforcement Award, Woman of Courage Award from the Lorain NAACP, and the Sojourner Truth Award from the National Negro Business and Professional Women's Club. She was honored to be inducted into the Lorain County Afro-American Hall of Fame in 2013, and to receive the Woman of Legacy Award from the National Council of Women in 2016.

She was proud of her membership in the following committees and organizations: Youngstown Mayor's Community Development Advisory Committee, Youngstown Black Political Assembly, Youngstown Consumer Advisory Committee, Ohio Black Women's Leadership Caucus, Bishops' Committee Episcopal Dioceses of Ohio, Science Hill Junior High School PTA, Parents Advisory Board for Title I, Lorain Negro Business and Professional Women, Lorain County Democratic Women's Club, and the Lorain Chapter of the NAACP. At the Lorain NAACP she held committee chair positions and was elected 3rd Vice President.

She was a board member of the Fair Housing Board for the City of Lorain, Lorain County Mental Health Board, and the Lorain County Community Action Agency. Willing or unwilling, she made it her business to become friends with elected officials. She won them all over. Tucked in her impressive stack of memorabilia are special recognitions from the U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, Lorain County Commissioners, and City of Lorain Mayors Koziura, Krasienko, Foltin, and Ritenauer.

A tireless advocate of education, Rhoda held an Honorary Doctorate degree from Faith College in Birmingham, Alabama. She testified before the U.S. House of Representatives for the continuation of compensatory education programs for disadvantaged students.

Rhoda was blessed with four children, Joseph Robinson, and Kenneth Dotson (Linda), of Columbus, Ohio, Duane Harris (Belinda), of Newport News, Virginia, and Mary Ann Nolan, of Lorain, Ohio. She was also blessed with two stepdaughters, Darlene Casey, of Lorain, Ohio, and Claudette Taylor (Jack), of Hampton, Georgia; twenty-one grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren, twenty-one great-great-grandchildren; additional family and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Roy Hisle; her father and mother, Eddie Lee and Lennie Lee; her brothers, Eddie Lee and John Lee; granddaughter, Lakeita Nolan; and grandsons, Kevin Dotson, Tyler Casey, and Frank Prieto.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 10 a.m. until the time of her service at 11 a.m. at Brown-Robinson Funeral Home and Celebration Center, 6075 Middle Ridge Road, Lorain, Ohio 44053.