Shuey "Gene" Yee

Shuey “Gene” Yee, 100 (101 in Chinese years) passed away at Chicot Memorial Medical Center in Lake Village, AR, surrounded by her family on Thursday, January 7, 2016. She was born on October 30, 1915 in Canton, China to the late Lee Bow Qui and Gin Lee. Gene married Tin Bow Yee in 1933 in China, raised six children together, and celebrated 70 years of marriage. She arrived in Lake Village in 1950, where she and her husband were co-owners of B&M Food Mart and owners of Yee’s Foodland. Gene became the matriarch of the family, loved spending time with family and friends, hosted parties, played mahjong and other games of chance. She was full of energy, very stylish, and a classy lady. Gene lived life to the fullest by traveling to China, Hong Kong, Hawaii (met Don Ho), and going on a cruise to the Western Caribbean. She was featured in the local newspaper about her Chinese-food cooking.

Gene is survived by her six children, Shuey Zen Lee, Terry Lam, Mary Alice (Hubert) Seid, Joe (Toy) Yee, Joe Dan Yee, and Bill (Suzanne) Yee; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Sue Kee Lee; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Tin Bow Yee; son-in-laws, Albert Lee, James Lam; and sisters.

The family has requested a private viewing. Family, friends, and others whose lives Gene touched are invited to a funeral service on Sunday, January 17, 2016 at 2 pm at Lake Village Baptist Church, 301 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Village, AR with Rev. Tim Chennault officiating. A reception will be held at Lake Village Country Club following the graveside services at Lake Village Cemetery. Please join us to honor her legacy. Thanks to her physicians, caretakers, and family members who took care of her on a daily basis, with special thanks to Toy Yee.