Nancy Lee, 73, of Rockwood, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2013, at home after a long battle with cancer.She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Francis McNabb.She is survived by former husband, Charles E. Lee, and their two daughters, Karen Cooper, Rockwood, and Kathryn Adams, California. She also leaves behind sister, Becky Jones, Oliver Springs; sister, Darlene Bland, Burns, Tenn.; son-in-law, Troy Cooper; and grandsons, Christian, Philden, Nathan and Jason Cooper.She was a native of Harriman and lived in Oliver Springs until 1972. She was a newspaper columnist for The Oak Ridger and one of the founders of the Jaycees and Jaycettes in Oliver Springs in the early 1960s. While living in Oliver Springs she also volunteered with the Red Cross and was an advocate for community health care, literacy and other altruistic programs.She was editor of The Rockwood Times newspaper during its ownership by the late state Sen. Ray Baird. She and Mr. Lee owned and operated Charles Lee Chevrolet & Oldsmobile in Rockwood from 1972 to the early '90s.She was a Girl Scout leader for several years, and with Mr. Lee encouraged their daughters toward civic responsibility, community service and mutual respect and compassion for all people regardless of their races and creeds.She was an avid supporter of environmental causes such as forest preservation and "no-litter" campaigns, among others. She served as chairwoman of the Roane County Regional Solid Waste Board for several years and was a driving force behind the creation of the county's first recycling programs in the mid-'90s.In keeping with her wishes, the family will hold a private service at home. In lieu of flowers and cards, friends are asked to honor her by planting trees, recycling daily, being kind to animals, treating all people with respect and volunteering in the community whenever possible.Cremation Options Inc., 865-6WE-CARE, 693-2273, www.cremationoptionsinc.com, is in charge of arrangements.