Lisa T. Lea's Obituary
Lisa Trella Walker Lea, a source of light to those in her world, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee on February 19, 2017. Lisa was born on April 1, 1961 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was endowed with remarkable beauty, a graceful disposition and an undeniable energy that uplifted those around her. An incurable optimist, Lisa forged her way through life with bravery and refreshing honesty. She made friends effortlessly. If you knew her, Lisa made you feel as if you were not just important, but as if you were family. She had a warm smile, kind words, usually a hug and was generous to a fault. She was known for her outgoing personality and her joie de vivre. She was truly an original, and was unforgettable to those she knew. She had a keen eye for beauty and harmonious surroundings, and she was dedicated to perfection. She had a bona fide gift for interior design and fashion, and always illustrated grace and class in her appearance and style. She spent many years working in the fashion industry at Mr. Ooley’s, a high-end men’s fashion store owned by her late husband, John; as well as Gordon Stuart in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma. She ultimately turned down a prestigious position as a buyer in New York City to focus on her true passion: raising and caring for her two children, Caitlan and Ryan. To that end, she would tell you that the greatest joy and accomplishment that she found in life was in bringing up her son and daughter. In short, they were her pride and joy. Lisa’s love extended to supporting all of her loved ones, whether family or friend. She sacrificed herself to help her loved ones achieve their goals, and offered a sense of hope and an enthusiasm for life that was undeniable. She will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Aside from her children and spouses, the three people closest to Lisa in life were her late sister, Marsha Thetford McCubbin and two dear friends: Diana Robinson, of Nichols Hills, Oklahoma, and Shelby Larkin Daily, of Memphis, Tennessee. She also loved animals, in particular her dog, Moon. She was the youngest daughter of the late Robert Walker – a revered attorney in Oklahoma City – and the late Carolyn Dawn Walker. She joins them and her sister, Marsha, in heaven, along with her cherished departed former husband, John Loran Ooley, III and her dear husband of the last 15 years, Dr. James (Jay) D. Lea. Lisa is survived by her two children: Caitlan Whitney Kemether and her fiancé, Dr. Payam Moein, both of Memphis, Tennessee, and her son, Ryan Patrick Kemether, of Carmel, California. Caitlan and Ryan want their mother to know that: “You are kind. You are smart. You are important.” Lisa spent the majority of her life visiting and living in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Because of her lifelong passion for the area, her family requests that donations in her memory be made to the Carmel Foundation, www.carmelfoundation.org. A Memorial Service will be held at Memorial Park, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN, Friday, March 3, 2017, at 4 p.m.
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