Sybil Dean Lee, age 96 of Old Hickory, Tenn., and native of Warren, passed away peacefully Friday, September 25, 2026, in Hermitage, Tenn., surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Lee was retired from Nortel Network. She was active in her faith as a member of First Baptist Church, Old Hickory, Tenn., and found her purpose and love for giving back through serving as an Eastern Star Officer. She was born January 11, 1930, and was the daughter of the late Noel Ernest and Bessie Dearman Burks of Warren. While growing up in Warren, Sybil met her husband, James William Lee. They were married August 30, 1947, and were together for the next 74 years, before James passed away May 1, 2019.
Sybil will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother and friend to many. Sybil spent her days serving her church, community, friends and family by loving on them through traditional southern ways, such as baking pies from scratch and providing for those she cared for. She was an avid cook, who enjoyed canning fresh fruit and vegetables, and always found a reason to bring her people together through her love of making homemade ice cream.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Vernon Burks, Gordon Burks, and Loyce Burks; and sisters Everene Goins and Edna Gray. She is survived by her two daughters, Cheryl Fran (Bill) Pickerd of Corvallis, Ore., and Carol Ann (Greg) Sanders of Lebanon, Tenn. She is also survived by one grandson, Joel (Hailey) Pickerd of Corvallis, Ore.; three granddaughters, Erica (Jeff) Barlow of Clinton, Wash., Leanna (Colin) Sullivan of Lebanon, Tenn., and Savannah (Joshua) Knipfel of Lebanon, Tenn.; two great-granddaughters, Gabrielle and Olivia Barlow of Clinton, Wash.; three great-grandsons, Baker and Levi Sullivan of Lebanon, Tenn., and Blake Pickerd of Corvallis, Ore.
Funeral services were 2 p.m, Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Frazer’s Funeral Home, Warren with Bro. Wayman Mann officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Warren with pallbearers being family members.
