Joanne Cole Lee was born June 18, 1975 with her identical twin sister Jackie Marie Lee. Joanne was raised in Smithfield, NC with her parents, Charles W. Lee, Jr. and Judy Rutherford Leeand 3 other Siblings: Carol Ann Lee (deceased), Lucinda (Cindy) Ruth Lee, and Charles Ivan (Charlie) Lee.

Joanne loved her family which included her Grandparents and many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins on both sides of the family. She loved family get-togethers, holidays and summer vacationswhich included trips to Carolina Beach and summer days swimming at the Family Pool. Even fishing with her Daddy, something which set her apart from her twin sister!

The road trips to Iowa to see our Rutherford family wereunforgettable. She enjoyed the fun times at Aunt Carolyn’s house & her swimming pool – cookouts & yard games with Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Grandpa Ivan & Grandma Geri.

She was very close to her Grandma Mary Lou Lee and had many loving memories that she never forgot - the always festiveLee Christmas parties among them.

Joanne grew up in the First Presbyterian Church in Smithfield of which she was a member. She enjoyed Sunday school, Vacation Bible school, and singing Bible songs. One of her favorite events was Christmas Eve church service and singing Christmas carols.

Joanne attended school in Smithfield and is a 1996 graduate of the Johnston County Schools Life Skills program in Selma, NC. She was an active student and cheerleader. She loved reading, word-search puzzles, and coloring books. She excelled at many of the Special Olympics, with medals and trophies to prove it.

As a young adult, Joanne was active and productive, working at JCI (Johnston County Industries) for many years. She was awarded a mantle clock for her 10 years of service.

She lived in several group homes for special-needs adults in Smithfield, and just recently in Fayetteville, NC for a short time. Every place she has lived, people have loved her joyous spirit and sunny personality.

Joanne leaves behind her best friend & twin sister, Jackie Marie, her brother, Charlie (Pam), sister Cindy, and her mother, Judy. She also leaves behind 2 nieces, Kendall Lee (Carol Ann) and Zoe Caroline Lee (Charlie).

She is preceded in death by her father, Charles, sister Carol Ann, and both sets of Grandparents. Not to mention various Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins whom she adored.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 6, at 2pm at First Presbyterian Church in Smithfield.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the SECU Hospice House of Smithfield, NC.