Mary Lee Pake

Mary Lee Pake passed away peacefully at her home on July 23, 2026. She was born August 6, 1934, to Walter Lee Mason and Hazel Willis Mason and was raised in Atlantic, NC and, briefly, New York.

A visitation will be held at Noe-Brookes in Morehead City on Friday July 31, 2026 at 1:00pm with the funeral service following at 2:00pm.

 Known as Lee by family and friends, she made the most of growing up on the shores of Atlantic and Marshallberg surrounded by loving parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. An only child, Lee often said, “Young’uns, I was a TRIAL!” She participated in many school activities in Atlantic and attended Louisburg College after high school graduation.

 She married the love of her life, Charles Lester Pake, Jr., in 1955, and willingly accompanied him wherever he was stationed during his career in the United States Air Force. From San Antonio, TX, to Orlando, FL; Myrtle Beach, SC; Goose Bay Labrador, Canada; Omaha, NE; Columbus, OH; and Morehead City, NC, Lee reveled in the military life, making lifelong friends wherever she lived. Her adventuresome and funloving spirit imparted joy and satisfaction to the family she and Charles Lester created. With beauty queen looks and an eye for fashion, Lee defied her age, even into her 90’s, and was known to be one of the classiest and most beautiful women downeast.

 Lee worked at various jobs throughout all their military stations. Upon settling back in Smyrna, NC, after Charles’ retirement, she worked for many years as an administrator at Carteret County Dept of Social Services. She retired at age 62 and spent her remaining years enjoying the coastal life and traveling across the United States and the globe with family and friends. Her favorite place in all the world was her own front yard, and she spent many hours watching the boats go in and out of Jarrett’s Bay.

 Charles Walter “Charlie” was born in 1959, and Patrick Kyle followed in 1966. Her sons were Lee’s pride and joy throughout her life, and she created wonderful memories with them that will last a lifetime. She could recall stories from their childhoods, as well as her own, and would often regale her friends and family with both hilarious and touching tales about all their lives. To be in her presence was to be filled with laughter and love.

 Grandchildren Chase Hilton Pake and Madison Kyle Pake arrived in 1995 and changed her world. Soon to follow were Jack Mason Pake and Kyle Grayson Pake, and her family was complete. Her home is filled with photos and memorabilia to mark many happy occasions together with them, as well as several nephews and nieces. At last, a great grandson, Walter Hastings Pake, arrived in 2025 and brought Lee her final great joy.

 Lee is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her son Charles Walter; and brother-in-law Joseph Hardy Pake.

 She is survived by son Patrick Pake; daughter-in-law Dorla Gurganus Pake; grandchildren Chase Pake and wife Frances Barringer Pake, Madison Pake, Jack Pake, and Kyle Pake; sister-in-law Regina Pake Rose and husband Tom; sister-in-law Jimmy Salter Pake; great grandson Walter Hastings Pake; nephews Larry Harcar and Craig Joseph Pake; grandniece Lauren Ashmar and husband Alex and daughter Andree; and cousins Susan Mason, Mark Gaskill, and Chris Garner.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.net

Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC.