Ara Lee was born in Shuqualak, Mississippi to Burl and Allie Mae Simond. She attended school in Shuqualak and accepted Christ at an early age. As a teenager, she met and fell in love with Lenon Rencher. They wed in January of 1953 and later moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Ara Lee was a stay at home mom for ten years and then decided to attend Manpower Training Center and become a nurse’s aid. She went back to school and became an LPN. After obtaining her LPN certificate, she got a job at Cleveland Psychiatric Institute and remained a faithful employee for 30 years. Ara Lee retired at the age of 65. During her retirement, she was caretaker for her husband and mother who both passed in 2004.

Aside from her educational and professional accomplishments, her greatest joy was her home and family. She was a devoted wife and mother. Ara Lee had a flair for decorating and kept a very clean and tidy home. Holidays in her home were always festive and joyful with plenty of food.

Ara Lee and her husband were active members of the Scooba Reunion Club and the E. 124th street club for over 20 years. She was a caring and loving mother that was always there for her children and grandchildren in times of need. Ara Lee had an active and full life filled with good times, travel, family, and friends. She also joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church in 2000.

Ara Lee leaves to mourn her passing six children: Shirley Williams, Leonard, Richard (Patricia), Jeffery, Deandre, and Eric Rencher.

She also leaves her grandchildren Gregory (Kelly) Williams, Shanell Williams; Nicole McDonald (Stun); Leonard Jr., Devanna Rencher; Cassandra Rencher, Richard Rencher Jr. (Kim), Brian Rencher; Jeffery Jr., Jason Rencher; Deandre II (Sharay); Eric Jr. and a host of great and great great grandchildren.

She had one brother, Burl Lee Simond, and a half brother, Emmet Simond, who preceded her in death.