Carmela L. Lee

Carmela Lim Lee, 89, passed peacefully from this world and into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, May 13, 2023. A former resident of Palm Bay, Florida, she relocated to South Carolina in September 2020.

"The little woman," as she was affectionately called, leaves behind a daughter, Jasmine, of West Columbia, South Carolina; brother, Cecilio Lim of Miami, Florida; sister, Martha Lim of Havana, Cuba; and sister, Yrma Lim of Miami, Florida. She is also survived by 22 nieces and nephews including Yvonne Petersen of Miami, Florida; Lourdes Grossman of Wilmington, North Carolina; Ivette Tanis of Rock Hill, South Carolina; Alain Rodriguez of Miami, Florida; Karen Fisher of San Antonio, Texas; Patricia Lim of Columbia, South Carolina; Yrmita Olivares of Miami, Florida; and Sarahi Lim of Miami, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernesto and Gudelia; husband, Woo Hee; son, Christian; sister, Mirtha; and brothers Jeronimo, Primitivo, Sergio and Ernesto.

Carmela received a master's degree equivalent from the University of Havana in teaching and pedagogy. She was a school teacher and later worked as a switchboard operator for Southern Bell, AT&T and Harris Corporation.

Carmela loved talking with friends and family.... and even strangers. She was an avid reader and traveled extensively in her later years. Some of her greatest joys were visiting countries and places she only dreamed of as a child growing up in Cuba. She enjoyed keeping up with current events, shopping and watching Turner Classic Movies. She had a very generous spirit and often gifted people with clothing or jewelry she wore when complimented on an item.

The family wishes to extend thanks to the staff at Lexington Community Hospice House for the excellent care that was given in her final days. At her request, there will be no memorial service. Instead, her wish was for her ashes to be combined with her son's and scattered at various locations.

Expressions of sympathy may be made online at McAlister-Smith.com/weco.