Arletta "Lyle" McCarney Lees passed away peacefully at her home in Houston, Texas on Saturday, September 3, 2022, in the presence of loving family members. Born on April 23, 1925, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she had 97 good years on this earth.

The seventh of nine children of steel mill blast furnace superintendent John R. McCarney and homemaker Sarah "Sadie" Knox McCarney, Arletta was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband Homer G. Lees, brother John R. McCarney, Jr., and sisters Mary Blackham, Frances Zorn, Lucille Collins, Dorothy Virgin, Sara Lois McCarney, and Shirley Gariglio. She is survived by her children Nancy Lees-Thompson (Gary Thompson) of Falls Church, VA, Donna Lees Shipp (Don) of Nash, TX, and Robert Joseph Lees (Josephine) of Houston, TX; grandchildren Geoffrey Shipp (Samantha) of Santa Barbara, CA, Daniel Nitinthorn-Shipp (Ashley) of Meadow Bridge, WV, Caroline Lees, Audrey Lees, and Angelina Lees of Houston, TX, great-grandson Spencer Nitinthorn-Shipp of Meadow Bridge, WV, and sister Ada McCarney McNertney of Pittsburgh, PA, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Arletta was very active in her church as she was growing up in Pittsburgh. She sang in the choir and performed as part of a trio at small social gatherings, even sending recordings to friends serving overseas in the military in WWII. She worked for Gulf Oil Corporation, where she met her future husband, Homer G. Lees. They were married June 11, 1948. When her husband was transferred to Houston, Texas in 1961, she made a new home for them and their three children there, but remained close to her family in Pittsburgh, who they visited every summer. When her husband went to Pittsburgh on a business trip in March 1979, she naturally accompanied him. Sadly, Homer died suddenly and unexpectedly during that visit and was therefore buried in Pittsburgh next to the McCarney family burial plot, with a bronze plaque that included his wife's name and date of birth.

In the 43 years after being widowed, Arletta participated more fully in Spring Branch Presbyterian Church activities, particularly the widows and bible study groups. She gave rides to those without transportation and visited shut-ins. She loved to bake, and was always providing desserts to church group luncheons, friends, and neighbors. She was an avid reader and letter writer, and loved to send greeting cards. With a mind and memory enviable up until the last week of her life, she never forgot a birthday or anniversary or to send get well or sympathy cards.

Arletta maintained a "glass half full" philosophy, pointing to those less fortunate instead of dwelling on her own troubles. She loved her family and friends and was an awesome mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her faith in God was strong and never faltered. She will be missed every day.

At her request, no funeral was held. On September 12, 2022, she was buried next to her husband on a hill with a beautiful view at Mt. Royal Cemetery in Pittsburgh. A Celebration of Life buffet for family members was held the next day. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to your favorite charity may be made if desired.