Nancy Jane Lee

Nancy Jane Lee, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the age of 83. Born on December 7, 1942, in Dallas, Texas, to Charles and Mildred Collard, Nancy—known affectionately as Junky Jane—lived a life full of grit, humor, creativity, and devotion to her family.

A graduate of R. L. Turner High School, Nancy grew up as the eldest of her siblings, a role she carried with pride and protectiveness throughout her life. She loved deeply, defended fiercely, and held tight to the people she called her own.

On September 29, 1990, Nancy married the love of her life, Sam Lee, in Possum Kingdom. Their 36‑year marriage was a partnership built on loyalty, laughter, and adventure. Jane often said that God gave her “a man with a heart of devotion,” and together they traveled across 38 states— “long hot shots,” always ready to see what kind of trouble they could get into next.

Nancy’s passion was antiquing, a calling she embraced with joy and mischief. She was known for saying, “I buy junk and sell antiques,” and Sam lovingly nicknamed her “Junkie Jane.” She was a natural wheeler‑and‑dealer, involved in shops and flea markets across the region. If you ever saw the baby‑blue bread truck around town, you knew Jane was nearby—and you knew she had treasures inside.

Her love for the hunt was legendary. She once flagged down strangers on the highway if she spotted a truck full of junk, insisting they pull over so she could ask what they had for sale. If you went “junkin’” with her, you learned quickly: you walked behind her, because she wanted to see everything first.

Nancy had a gift for turning the ordinary into the beautiful. She could decorate a room with nothing more than imagination and a few well‑placed knick‑knacks. Once, she hung a chair on the wall, placed a plant in it, and somehow made it look perfect. She loved plants and flowers, little babies and puppies, Western movies, poker for money, traveling, and exploring old cemeteries and churches. She lived from the East Coast to the West and everywhere in between, but she was happiest at home—piddling, rearranging, and tending to her beloved plants.

Her love story with Sam began at QuickWay, where Cheryl worked. Nancy came in—maybe to see Cheryl, maybe to pay for gas—and talked Sam into letting her put antiques in the store. That moment changed everything. On their wedding day, after stopping for snacks and drinks, they were driving down the highway when Nancy spotted a yard sale. At 60 mph she said, “Stop—pull over!” Sam reluctantly did, and there she found a 30‑pound Bible from the early 1900s, complete with a Barkley’s bank postcard from a ship tucked inside. That was Nancy—always finding treasure where others saw clutter.

Her faith was woven into her life in quiet, meaningful ways. When Sam, a mason who had been saved and baptized, would read Scripture, she would ask what he was reading and turn it into a story—drawing from the Bible‑filled upbringing she cherished.

Preceding Nancy in death are her parents, Charles and Mildred Collard; her son, Randy Wells; Grandson, Christopher Wells, and her siblings: Lawrence (Larry) Collard, Brenda Stanton, and Debra Ann Hovis.

Those left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband of 36 years, Sam Lee; her children Tammy Hood (Matt), Todd Wells (Cheryl), Rene Snow (Craig), Randy Lee (Julie), Sammy Lee (Anita), and John Lee; daughter‑in‑law, Jean Ann Wells; her grandchildren: Nicole Kuykendall (Deric), Austin Wells (Emerald), Casey Skeel, Todd Jr., TJ (Kassidy), Thomas Snow, Trey Snow, Crystal Duncan (Cody), and Zack Espinosa; several great‑grandchildren, and her sister and last surviving sibling, Kathy McKee.

Nancy leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and unforgettable stories—treasures far more valuable than any antique she ever found. Her memory will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.