Crystal Lorene Lee

Crystal Lorene Choate Lee, age 98, of Cleveland, Tennessee, entered eternal rest on January 29, 2026. She lived a long and wonderful life, marked by faith, love, and devotion to her family.

Surrounded by her beloved family and her loving Brookdale nurses and care partners of 14 years, Crystal slipped peacefully into heaven in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Throughout her life, Crystal was affectionately known as Mother, MaMaw, and by her childhood nickname, “Crip.” She was a devoted wife, mother, MaMaw, and friend whose life reflected her deep Christian faith. A faithful member of Candies Creek Baptist Church, she loved God above all and cherished her family and friends dearly.

Crystal found joy in singing gospel hymns, playing her guitar, cooking, canning, gardening, planting flowers, and hosting cookouts. She especially loved entertaining family and friends in her home and enjoyed trips to Dollywood and Florida, creating memories that will be treasured for generations.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, Charles Hubert Lee; her parents, William Amos Choate and Bertha McKinley Choate; her parents-in-law, Arley Wilburn Lee and Lula Bell Lee; her brothers, JC, Lawrence, Burl, Delmas (Doc) Lester, and Raymond Choate; and her sisters, Pauline (Polly) and Mildred.

Those left to honor and cherish her legacy include her children, Janis (Roy) Willhoit, Tammy Lee, and Dennis (Alice) Lee; her grandchildren, Daniel, Clint, Alicia, Holli, Amy, Carmen, and Crystal; her great-grandchildren, Bailey, Raegan, BriAnna, Megan, Mia, Jaden, Briar, Axl, Joselyn, and Mitchell; and her great-great-grandchildren, Hudson, Owen, and Sawyer. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Joyce Hickman, her sister-in-love, Joyce Allman, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Clint Lee and Daniel Willhoit; nephews Ron Choate, Tim Choate, and Tony Choate; and grandsons-in-love Jeremy Roark and Colt Oertling.

Honorary pallbearers include nephews Bobby Choate and Randall Choate and Keith Watkins, Jaden Corbin, Briar Lee and Axl Lee.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Poole Funeral Home, 3000 Ralph Buckner Blvd. NE, Cleveland, Tennessee, with Pastor Stan Gibson of Candies Creek Baptist Church officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.

The graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, all are welcome to attend.

Crystal’s life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and her love a gift that will live on forever.