Charita Marie Lee

Charita Marie Lee, was born October 16, 1954 to the late Norwood Henry Lee, Sr. and Lucille (Elizabeth) Brooks Lee. She went home to be with God on October 22, 2025, where she has undoubtedly found her peace. She was preceded in death by her baby brother, Norwood H. Lee, Jr., “Butch”, whom she is now tattling on in the hereafter.

With country roots from both Caroline County, Virginia and Wise, North Carolina, Charita was born in Richmond, VA. She attended West End Elementary School, Binford Middle School and John Marshall High School, before being bussed to Huguenot High School, where she received her high school diploma. Athletically inclined, she earned All Star awards in middle school softball & volleyball. At Huguenot, she was both an integral part of the Pep Squad as well as the girls basketball team. Charita always enjoyed having her own money and worked as a candy striper at the Virginia Home until she graduated. One of her hobbies was sewing her own stylish clothes, including one of her prom dresses. She made many lifelong friends in her high school years, who attended memorable basement parties she and Butch had at their parents’ home in the “Real” Westend.

Charita was a tall, cool glass of water, with a shape that inspired envy. Escorted by her cousin, Babebro (William Phillips, Sr.), she won the Miss Teen Queen pageant, hosted by the Young Women’s Christian League, Inc. In her early twenties, she set the runway on fire with Cameo Models, participating in shows commentated by the Legendary MUA/Fashion Icon, Earl Fleming.

Before becoming widely known as Deputy Lee, or “Lee”, Charita worked at the Richmond Coliseum and also at F&M Bank. Charita was employed as a deputy sheriff for over 25 years. She worked as a deputy sheriff in Richmond City for two years before taking employment with Henrico County Sheriff’s Department, where she retired after 23 years of service. She referred to the inmates as her children, and called herself a professional babysitter. While she was a stern deputy who did not tolerate any mess, she definitely had a soft spot for “her children” and would help them where she could – because she respected them as human beings.

When she was not babysitting adults, Charita loved fishing. As a young adult, she loved going out with her friends on PeeWee’ s boat. Later, she was so excited to teach Stacy how to fish, and was delighted that Stacy grew to love it as much as she did. When she did not have a rod in her hand, she had a spade. She had a passion for gardening, loved flowers of all kinds, and she had a serious green thumb. From March to November, you could find her tending her garden, priding herself on having the nicest yard on the block. Charita also loved slot machines. On any given day, she’d be at Sunny’s, BP, or Rosie’s, testing out her skills.

Charita gave birth to one baby girl, who was the apple of her eye. She worked tirelessly as a mom to ensure that Stacy had everything she needed and most of what she wanted. She did her best to never miss a track meet, band competition or school presentation. She served as President of the Thomas Jefferson Band Boosters Club, and took countless numbers of kids home in the infamous Tangerine Frost Ford Probe.

Charita LOVED animals. The family would often joke that she was the female Doctor Dolittle. Neighbors would often bring her strays, because they knew she would either keep them or ensure that they found a safe home. Once, she even brought home a turtle from the ponds at the Henrico County Government Complex. Stacy named it Punky Brewster. Charita took diligent care of all of her dogs – Chloe, CeeCee, Butta, Angel, Newbie and even her granddog, Jezzibelle. She cared for two lucky housecats in her lifetime – Scrappy and Kitty Boo, as well as the many strays she fed on both her front and back porches. In fact, she loved animals so much that she would catch and release racoons and opossums down by the river, when they showed up to her front porch buffet.

Charita had a deep love for children, the elderly, and helping those in need. She was generous with her time and other resources; An ever-present listening ear and a shoulder to lean on. During the holidays, she shared her baking talents with family and friends, who looked forward to her mouth-watering Vanilla Crispies (cookies) and her world-renowned pound cake!

Charita’s 55th birthday gift was extra special. That day, she got the call that Stacy passed the Virginia State Bar Exam. One of her greatest accomplishments was watching Stacy be sworn in as an attorney before the Virginia Supreme Court. In the years following, both Charita and Stacy would chuckle when they were out together and someone would say “Hi, Ms. Lee!”, not knowing whether it was one of Charita’s “children” or one of Stacy’s clients. Charita could not have been more proud when Stacy went on to become a judge on the Henrico Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, continuing the Lee women legacy of service to the County.

She was so looking forward to watching her grandbabies grow up. She served as both of their initial babysitters and derived great joy from her promotion to the title of “Grandma”.

Charita had a friendship circle that was top notch. During her two-week stay at Sheltering Arms Rehab facility after her initial stroke, the front desk receptionist always shared how she had the most visitors of all of the patients in the facility. From her cousins, to her childhood friends, to neighbors and co-workers, they all kept her spirits lifted through calls and visits as she went through her period of illness. She loved them all so much and would be so happy to tell Stacy who she talked to and who came to visit her each day. At the end, she let everyone know that she was tired, and God brought her home to rest.

Charita is survived by her daughter, the Honorable Stacy E. Lee; son-in-law, Orlando A. Woodson; grandsons, Felix and Phoenix Woodson; sister, Rochelle B. Lee; nephews, Nygel Isaiah and Myles Carlos Irving Lee; aunts, Rosemary and Geraldine Phillips; and a host of relatives and friends.

Remains rest at Joseph Jenkins Jr. Funeral Home, where Ms. Lee can be viewed on Saturday, November 1, 2025, 12:00pm - 7:00pm and on Sunday, November 2, 2025, 11:00am - 6:00pm. Homegoing Services will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025, 11:00am, at Joseph Jenkins Jr. Funeral Home, 2011 Grayland  Ave. Family and friends are asked to assemble at 10:45am at the funeral home on Monday. 

Online condolences are available at www.jenkinsjr.com.