Lee Payne Battis, 61, passed away in St. Francis Hospital March 24, 2017, following a long period of poor health. She was the daughter of Donald and Georgine Payne. Lee was born in Wilmington in 1955, the third child of Don and Georgine. She was a towheaded curious kid who loved the outdoors and rescuing animals of all sorts. As a young teenager, Lee loved to ride horses, and became an accomplished equestrian, entering jumping classes. As young as 12 years old, she worked in stables to be able to rent a horse, which she did to demonstrate to her parents that she could take care of a horse if they were to buy one for her. She had an accident while jumping when she was 14 and injured her back, so that was the end of her horsemanship career. She also swam competitively at Crestover Swim Club.Lee attended Brandywine Hundred public school, graduating from Concord in 1973. She was accepted at many colleges, but chose the Ohio State University. She completed one year at OSU, then transferred to the University of Delaware. She studied early childhood education and psychology. Lee left school without graduating but worked for Cigna Insurance for a couple of years, then the Dupont Company for 25 years as a chemical technician in the Films department. She retired on disability after injuring her back again approximately 15 years ago. In spite of her disability, she unselfishly took care of her brother Bruce as his own health declined, and her partner Dan prior to his death. During her younger years she spent many wonderful times with her nieces and nephews and thought of them as her own kids. Barbecues in the back yard, Lee's fried chicken, summers at Hatteras and deep sea fishing are some of the fond memories her nieces and nephews will share.Lee was married to Socrates (Steve) Battis in 1980. She was predeceased by her parents, Don and Georgine, her husband, Steve, her longtime love Dan McCarrie, and her brother, Bruce Payne. She is survived by her sister, Beth Ullom, of Greensburg, PA., her brother, Bill Payne, of Chase City, VA, nephews Ian Payne, Eric Payne, Bill Ullom and Andrew Ullom, and nieces Kristin Payne and Kelly Stapel. She also leaves to mourn her an uncle, James Vallance and counsins Audrey and George Vallance of Savoy IL. Lee lived a life that she wanted and was disappointed in her later years that she was not able to go and visit family and friends due to her disabilities. She did not want people to mourn her death, but be happy that she was no longer suffering and to remember all the good times that her friends and family had with her. Rest in Peace beloved Lee.