Lee Herren Stimson

Lee Herren Stimson died July 18, 2025, at her home in Alexander City, AL, after a short illness. She was born in Mobile, AL, on July 3, 1941, the daughter of James Marvin Herren, Jr., and Edith Echols Herren. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Joseph Richard Stimson; her son, Dr. Alan Christopher Stimson (Tammy); her daughter, Jennifer Stimson; and four grandchildren: Madison Lee Stimson, Ethan Stimson Saffold, Christopher Derek Stimson, and William Rob Stimson. Surviving family also includes her sister, Bobbie Herren Piper; brother, Dr. James Marvin Herren, III (Barbara); sister-in-law, Anne Stimson Durham; brother-in-law, Dr. Lawrence Durham; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Lee spent most of her childhood in Tallassee, AL, where she attended elementary through high school and worked as a lifeguard. She attended Birmingham-Southern College on a full scholarship from Phi Beta Kappa, majoring in chemistry and math. She was an intramurals all-star. She was president of Pi Beta Phi sorority and the American Chemical Society and a member of many academic honor societies: Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board, Alpha Lambda Delta, Theta Chi Delta (chemistry), and Theta Sigma Lambda. She reportedly saved quite a few friends from flunking calculus. She was a chemistry lab instructor for two years and met her future husband in a chemistry class. After graduating from college, Lee and Joe married in 1963, and Lee worked as a chemist and teacher to put Joe through medical school.