E. Denise Lee …born Evelyn Denise Lee on June 30, 1952 to John H. Lee, Sr. and Leanora V. Daniels Lee. A native of Jacksonville, FL, she attended the local public schools of Duval County. She graduated from New Stanton Senior High School - Class of 1970. Furthering her education, she attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where she pursued a degree in Elementary Education. While attending Florida A&M University, Denise worked on and managed political campaigns that helped to elect some of Northeast Florida's most prominent Democrats. Indeed, the list of those whose campaigns she helped over the years included Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, Gov. Lawton Chiles, Sen. Bob Graham, Mayor Jake Godbold and Florida's first African American State Senator Arnette Girardeau among many others.

Denise has over thirty years of experience serving as a liaison between the government, city, state, and public. She was a fiery political advocate and embodied what it means to be a public servant. She will always be remembered for her powerful voice and her relentless devotion to her community. She was an expert in working with people to resolve issues and possessed exceptional oratorical communication skills. Denise served as a Minority Coordinator for Mayor Jake Godbold in 1979. Her responsibilities included overseeing field operations, planning and execution of phone bank operations and recruiting volunteers. She was truly an expert when it came to conducting phone bank operations.

At the age of 30, Denise was appointed as District 11 council member in September of 1982 to fill the remainder of the term of Sallye B. Mathis who died in office. She was subsequently elected to full terms in 1983 (District 11 became District 8 in the post 1980 Census redistricting), 1987, 1991, and 1995, leaving office in 1999 due to term limits.  She was elected to two more terms in 2007 and 2011, again leaving due to term limits, serving a total of 25 years. Infrastructure failures, including areas where septic tanks had failed, were among a series of issues on which she advocated for change. Effects of  blight  and neglect on financially challenged neighborhoods, city contracting policies for small and minority-owned businesses and impacts of  tax decisions on low-income residents were among subjects she revisited during her career in office. Denise served as the Chairman of Finance Committee, she also served on the Rules, Agricultural, Recreation and Health and Welfare Committees. Her efforts helped make possible major new projects like Gateway Shopping Center, The PGA's First Tee Golf Course at Brentwood, the renovated Ritz Theatre and the Bradham & Brooks Regional Library among many, many others. She was the 2nd longest serving council member in the consolidated government era. Her political service also included being a member of the Florida League of Cities for many years. She was also appointed and served on the Jacksonville Civil Service Board from 2003-2005.

In 1999, she was elected in a special election to fill the remainder of the term of Willye Dennis, who resigned from the Florida House of Representatives - District 15. She was re-elected to a full term for 2000-2002. In the Florida Legislature, she fought for education, children and seniors. She was appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Military Affairs, General Government Appropriations, Education Innovation, Child and Family Security, Water and Resource Management, Senate Reapportionment, Healthcare Licensing and Regulation, and Insurance Committees. She helped secure important resources for the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, Edward Waters College, Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman College. She fought for healthcare reform and to lower the cost of healthcare, especially for lower income and fixed-income residents. She sponsored House Bill 385, a bill relating to Insurance - extending the term of exemption from taxes and assessments on minority-owned property and casualty insurers; and postponing the scheduled repeal of the law. The bill became law in 2002. She was known as an ardent advocate for her constituents in House District 15. In addition to her political service, Denise worked as a Development Consultant for Agency Approval and Development Corporation. She was also the owner and president of OK Consulting Agency, Inc., a minority owned firm geared towards public relations, planning, research, community outreach and economic development.

In 2015, after leaving the City Council, she went on to work for the newly installed Mayor Lenny Curry. Denise served as the Director of Blight Initiatives overseeing the city's handling of issues including the effects of blight and neglect of financially challenged neighborhoods. She was influential, forceful and compelled others to make a positive difference in our City. She resigned in 2016, in part, to help market Mayor Curry's Pension Reform plan to voters. After the referendum successfully passed, she resumed her position and served as Director of Blight Initiatives until her retirement in June of 2023.

Former Mayor Jake Godbold said, "I have had no stronger partner over the last 25 years than E. Denise Lee to improve the quality of life for all people in Jacksonville. She is unafraid and unowned. The only people who matter to Denise are the people who elected her...the people she serves." She is known for her passion, her effectiveness and her love for the people in her home community. Denise earned a reputation for taking care of people and getting things done.

Denise was a faithful, lifelong member of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. She was a founding member of the McNeal Usher Board, participated in the Junior Choir, Sunday school and served on the Board of Stewards. She was a spiritual person who had a love for people and life. She encouraged people to work hard, and to believe in themselves through adversity. She was a woman of integrity. Denise was powerful, funny, charismatic, and a magnet for fun. She was also optimistic, full of advice, support and encouragement for her family, friends and anyone else who would listen. She was a constant resource for her friends and impacted the lives of so many.

Denise is preceded in death by her parents, John H. Lee, Sr. and Leanora V. Daniels Lee. She leaves to carry on her legacy, her daughter, Tamara H. Williams (Carlton); brother, John H. Lee, Jr. (Jacquelyn); grandchildren, Taylor M. Williams and Tyler C. Williams; nephews, Jason J. Lee (Shayla) and Justin M. Lee; great-nieces, Raegan S. Lee and Jaela R. Lee; great-nephew, King Lee; first cousins, Iris Daniels Rosier, Sharon Daniels and Ira C. Daniels, III (Carol); godchildren, Damian Stewart, Mona Stewart Norris and William D. Sweet, III; devoted best friend and sister, Gail H. McKinney (Percy); and a host of special cousins, relatives and lifelong friends. Denise loved God, life and her family. On the evening of August 29, 2023, she gained her angel wings and was called home to spend eternity with God.