August 11, 1948 – September 12, 2023

Barbara Jean Colter Lee, 75, of Elgin, passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Born in Woodford, South Carolina, on August 11, 1948, she was the daughter of George Colter, Sr., and Helen Culler Colter.

Barbara was educated in the Orangeburg County school system and graduated from Dover High School in 1966 in North, South Carolina. After graduating high school, Barbara moved to White Plains, NY where she attended and graduated from Westchester Community Business College. She later earned an associate degree from South University in Business. Barbara met and married the late Ronald T. Lee on October 11, 1975, at Mt. Zion AME in White Plains, NY. After moving to Columbia, SC, Barbara was employed and retired after 25 years at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control where she worked as an administrative specialist.

Barbara was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church. She served as a member of the Wesley United Methodist Women and later as President. She also served as a Lay Leader, Choir Member, Usher Board, and Pastor Parish Relations Committee member. She established a Girl Scout Troop at Wesley UMC and served as the inaugural leader. Barbara was a member of the Kairos Prison Ministry encouraging spiritual growth to the incarcerated. She participated in the Manna station program as a community volunteer serving meals to the homeless.

Barbara is survived by her son, Rondell (Valerie) Lee, her daughter, Stefanie Lee, three grandchildren, three sisters, and two brothers.

The funeral service for Barbara Jean Lee will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Wesley United Methodist Church (1725 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC  29201) with interment following at Bush River Memorial Gardens (5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC  29212). The Reverend Tiffany Knowlin Boykin will officiate. The family will visit with friends after the final interment.

Schedule of Services

Viewing

Temples-Halloran Funeral Home Chapel

•  Wednesday, September 20, 2023
•  1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
•  5400 Bush River Rd
   Columbia, SC 29212

Viewing

Wesley United Methodist Church

•  Thursday, September 21, 2023
•  10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
•  1725 Gervais Street
   Columbia, South Carolina 29201   

Funeral Service

Wesley United Methodist Church

•  Thursday, September 21, 2023
•  11:00 AM
•  1725 Gervais Street
   Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Inurnment Following Service

Bush River Memorial Gardens

•  Thursday, September 21, 2023
•  5400 Bush River Road
   Columbia, SC 29212