Yvonne Estelle Mabee

Yvonne Estelle Mabee, 74, passed away on August 10, 2011, at St Johns Hospital, Pleasant Valley, Camarillo. Yvonne was the beloved wife of Lee Mabee of Camarillo. Yvonne was born in Kirkville, Mississippi on January 29, 1937 to Marion Wheeler and Vena Harp Davis. She was raised in Booneville, Mississippi in a family of eleven children. She graduated from Booneville High School in 1956. Yvonne’s first husband was in the military, so she and her family lived near many Air Force bases in Texas, California, and Illinois. During this time, Yvonne gave birth to five children, losing two daughters, Sherry Ann and Lisa Marie, shortly after their births. Raising her children was Yvonne’s greatest joy. She was also a foster parent to three children while their father served in the Vietnam War. In 1976 Yvonne graduated from Sawyer College. She worked for Ventura county for many years, as an eligibility worker. During this period she met and married the love of her life, Lee Mabee. They were married on January 2, 1983 at St Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard. Yvonne and Lee now had a family of six children! Yvonne loved many activities, such as square dancing, gardening, games (especially Canasta), traveling, collecting angels, and spending time with friends and family. Yvonne and Lee loved camping with their camping group. But most of all she loved children, especially her many grandchildren! After retiring, Yvonne and Lee loved to travel, seeing a great deal of the country and the world. Yvonne is survived by her husband, Lee D. Mabee, of Camarillo; children Cindy Kleinrock, Jerry Ledbetter, Kathy Mabee, Gina Birkholz, Rob Mabee, and Larry Ledbetter; grandchildren Lindsey, Ryan, Forrest, Christopher, Justin Taylor, Justin Dean, Jacob, Jennifer, Kristi, Xenia, Brandon, Barbie, Rebecca, Daron, and Jackson; sisters Ann, Bernice, Clynese, and Bettie. Preceding her in death were her parents; siblings Louise, RC, Lois, Otis, James (Bud) and Roy; children Jeff Mabee, and her two infants, Sherry Ann and Lisa Marie. Yvonne’s family and friends would say she was the most faithful spouse and loving mother that ever walked the Earth. She also loved our Lord God dearly. When sharing the things she was most thankful for, she often said, “accepting Jesus Christ as her savior at the age of 17". Over the last few years of her life her most asked question to Lee was, “Do we go to church today?” Lee’s greatest comfort is knowing that Yvonne now gets to go to church every day. Yvonne’s ashes will reside in the Memorial Garden at her church. His Hand welcomed her into Heaven where she now enjoys the company of the Lord, as well the presence of her two daughters that preceded her. A celebration of Yvnonne's life will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1800 S. “C” St, Oxnard, California on Saturday, September 17th at 4 pm, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Yvonne Mabee would be greatly appreciated. Yvonne volunteered to participate in two tests at UCLA in order to help others fight this debilitating disease.