June 7, 1949 – January 11, 2023
Lydia Alice Scott Lee, 73 years of age, passed away Jan. 11, 2023, in Baton Rouge, LA, only four days after her high school sweetheart and husband of 54 years, John “Randy” Lee, Sr.
Lydia was born in Natchitoches on June 7, 1949, to Laura Sandel Scott and Theophile Nelson Scott.
Lydia attended St. Mary’s High School and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. She began her career working as a secretary in a medical office.
After the sudden loss of her sister, she was called to be a Catechism teacher. Soon after she became a fulltime religion teacher at St. Mary’s High School for 18 years and the Tiger Line coach for many years.
Lydia was a devoted Catholic and a Eucharistic Minister at the Immaculate Conception Church, in Natchitoches and Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, in Baton Rouge. Lydia was presented with a Diocesan Medal and the Mother Seton award for her service and dedication to the Church, Catholic schools, and parish family.
While teaching at St. Mary’s, Lydia was an unwavering force in her pursuit to bring back the May Procession tradition that she loved as a student of St. Mary’s. After appealing to the bishop and Mayor Joe Sampite, the tradition of carrying the Blessed Mother from the school, through downtown Natchitoches to the Immaculate Conception Church, to be crowned with flowers was renewed and continues to this day.
Lydia was active in her community and served in the Catholic Daughters of America, Natchitoches Arts & Humanities Council, Natchitoches Art Guild, Association of Natchitoches Women for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, Natchitoches Christmas Festival Committee, and the Natchitoches Service League.
Semi-retired after moving to Baton Rouge, she never-theless supported her husband by managing his Knights of Columbus Insurance Company office. She also enjoyed the company of many friends in her book club, supper club and bible study classes.
Lydia is survived by her children, John R. Lee, Jr., and his wife, Catherine of Montgomery, TX, Valerie Lee Zagacki and her husband, Dr. Kenneth of Cary, NC, and Eleanor Blair Lee Yarborough and her husband, Patrick of Baton Rouge; five grandchildren, Chase Lee, Lorelei and Andrew Zagacki, Clayton and Clara Yarborough; brothers, Mark Scott (Jacqueline), Joseph Scott (Chun Ling) and sister, Laura Scott; her sisters and brother-in-law Marietta Lee, and Edmond Lee and wife Henriellen; and many cousins, nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Susan Scott Mondello.
Thank you to all the dear friends who supported our family through this journey, especially their loving neighbors, and Father Paul Gros.