Thelma Lee Dies at 103
Funeral services for Thelma Muskrat Lee, the oldest living resident of Monkey Island and co-author of "A History of Monkey Island" were held this week at the church she helped to found, Lake Center Baptist Church.
Thelma Muskrat was born April 26, 1902 four miles southeast of Grove, Indian Territory. She attended Grove High School and was graduated in 1921, the same year she married Everett Rolston Lee. They purchased a house in Needmore (now old Bernice under the waters of Grand Lake) and had it moved to where it stands today, at the end of East Bay on Monkey Island. Their only son, Bill, was born in this house in 1926.
In those days the road out to their house was a one-lane rutted mess of mud and dust that was even too much for a horse and buggy. One can only wonder what went through Thelma Lee's mind as she watched Monkey Island change from the 1920's to 2000, the coming of electricity in 1941, telephones in 1947, a paved road in 1960, real estate development, the airport, Shangri-La and more.
It was Thelma Lee who helped to gather signatures and research records in order to contact every property owner along what would become SH 125, so that the road could be put on the state highway system.
The church she helped to found, Lake Center, was her home every Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening; she sang in the church choir well into her 90's. She served every position in the church except Pastor and Deacon.
On the occasion of her 100th birthday, she held a party in her home with many family and friends in attendance. Upon our entering her home, she said "I don't believe I know these people" and proceeded to introduce herself and her grandaughters who were present. We asked her to autograph the book she helped to write and her signature was exactly the same as it was in 1987.
Thelma Lee moved to Tulsa shortly after that birthday party and lived out her final years there.
Her contributions to Monkey Island and the Delaware County Historical Society will be missed.
Thelma Muskrat was born April 26, 1902 four miles southeast of Grove, Indian Territory. She attended Grove High School and was graduated in 1921, the same year she married Everett Rolston Lee. They purchased a house in Needmore (now old Bernice under the waters of Grand Lake) and had it moved to where it stands today, at the end of East Bay on Monkey Island. Their only son, Bill, was born in this house in 1926.
In those days the road out to their house was a one-lane rutted mess of mud and dust that was even too much for a horse and buggy. One can only wonder what went through Thelma Lee's mind as she watched Monkey Island change from the 1920's to 2000, the coming of electricity in 1941, telephones in 1947, a paved road in 1960, real estate development, the airport, Shangri-La and more.
It was Thelma Lee who helped to gather signatures and research records in order to contact every property owner along what would become SH 125, so that the road could be put on the state highway system.
The church she helped to found, Lake Center, was her home every Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening; she sang in the church choir well into her 90's. She served every position in the church except Pastor and Deacon.
On the occasion of her 100th birthday, she held a party in her home with many family and friends in attendance. Upon our entering her home, she said "I don't believe I know these people" and proceeded to introduce herself and her grandaughters who were present. We asked her to autograph the book she helped to write and her signature was exactly the same as it was in 1987.
Thelma Lee moved to Tulsa shortly after that birthday party and lived out her final years there.
Her contributions to Monkey Island and the Delaware County Historical Society will be missed.
posted by Editor | 1:00 AM
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