Tracy Lee

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Tracy Renee Parks Lee, 40, of Fenton, Mo., passed away Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

She was born Feb. 22, 1972, in Centreville, Ill., to Shelia Parks Pace and the late Walter E. Parks Jr.

Tracy lived in Waterloo, Ill., before her family relocated to Long Beach, Miss. She was a graduate of St. John High School in Gulfport, Miss. She found great enjoyment in learning, and earned multiple degrees and certificates, including a B.F.A. from Southeast Missouri State University, an M.A.T. in teaching English as a foreign language and an M.A. in reading from Webster University. She was currently pursuing an M.A. in educational psychology.

During the course of her studies she lived in Paris and Bourdeaux, France, and Otagawa, Japan. Most important to her was spending time with her friends, family and pets. Tracy was an accomplished poet and skilled in the visual arts. An enthusiastic traveler, she had been to Hawaii, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, Hong Kong, England, and Ireland. She developed lasting friendships wherever she went. She also adored children, and worked as a preschool teacher in Jackson, Miss. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Tracy is survived by her mother, Sheila Pace; stepfather, Daun Pace; a sister, Margaret Parks; grandfather, Vernon Patterson; an uncle, Jeffrey Patterson; stepsiblings, Allison Pace and Stanley Pace; and dear friend and companion, Lynn Foster.

She was preceded in death by her father, Walter E. Parks Jr.; an aunt, Erma Beth Holland; a grandfather, Walter E. Parks Sr.; and grandmothers, Johnellen Parks and Nola Patterson.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at the chapel, with the Rev. Geoff Posegate, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, officiating. A committal service will follow at Naylor Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at nunneleefuneralchapel.com.