Hey there, friends. It's with a heavy heart that we share the news of Vernita Lee's passing. Oprah Winfrey's beloved mother, who was 83, has left us, as confirmed by Oprah's representative to Closer Weekly on November 26, 2018. In a heartfelt statement, Vernita’s family shared the details of her peaceful passing on November 22, 2018, at her home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
A Legacy of Love and Family
Born on May 2, 1935, Vernita leaves behind a legacy of love and family. She is survived by her daughters, Oprah Winfrey and Patricia Amanda Faye Lee, as well as her grandchildren: Alisha Hayes, Chrishaunda Lee Perez, Aquarius Lofton, and Andre Brown. Her great-grandchildren—Jaxon Praise Perez, Chai Theresa Perez, Donovan Hayes, and Trinity Hayes—will also cherish her memory. Unfortunately, Vernita was predeceased by her son, Jeffrey Lee (1960–1989), and her daughter, Patricia Lee Lloyd (1959–2003). The family held private funeral services, and those who wish to honor Vernita’s memory can make memorial donations to Feeding America at feedingamerica.org.
Oprah’s mother, Vernita.
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A Mother's Perspective
In a candid interview with a local Milwaukee station, TMJ4, Vernita opened up about her world-famous daughter, Oprah. She spoke about how much she adored Oprah and how proud she was of her accomplishments. "I loved her the way that she loves people now," Vernita shared, adding that she was especially proud when Oprah starred in the movie The Color Purple in 1985. During the same interview, Vernita bravely addressed the pain of losing two of her children, relying on her faith to help her navigate through such difficult times. "I’m a Christian lady, and if you're a Christian person, it helps you to deal with situations like that," she said with grace and resilience.
Early Days and Family Roots
Oprah's journey began in January 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, when Vernita was just a teenager. The Winfrey family eventually moved to Milwaukee when Oprah was six years old. In a 1999 interview with People, Oprah's father, Vernon Winfrey, who was 85 at the time, recalled receiving a letter from Vernita informing him of Oprah's birth. "Her mother wrote me and told me that the baby had just come, in a letter: what it weighed, what its name was, and so forth and so on," Vernon fondly remembered.
