Graveside services for Althea Lee Packard will be 1:00pm Thursday October 11 2007 at Daytona Memorial Park. Known to her family and friends as Lee she passed away Saturday October 6 2007 at the age of 83 at her home in Daytona Beach Florida.

Lee was the wife of the late Sammy Packard who was one of the original founders of NASCAR. Lee was born in Thomasville North Carolina on June 23 1924 to the late Henry & Lee Tysinger. She graduated from La Grange College in La Grange Georgia in 1945.

While volunteering at the USO dances she met Sammy and they were married on April 17 1945 in Atlanta Georgia. After Sammy's discharge from the service they moved to Barrington Rhode Island. They owned & operated Packard's Speed Shop in Pawtucket Rhode Island for a number of years.

Lee's early years were following Sammy's racing career. Sammy raced on the "Worlds Most famous Beach" numerous times. He also raced boats motorcycles midgets & stockcars throughout New England and the east coast from the forties until they moved to Daytona Beach Florida in 1959.

Sammy & Lee owned & operated the first Yamaha motorcycle dealership in this area until his retirement. Lee was a lifetime member of both the Williams Grove Olde Timers & The Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association. She loved animals especially her dog Cody who she rescued. She enjoyed cooking knitting camping dog shows & NASCAR races.

Lee is survived by her daughters Pricilla Packard of Port Orange Florida and Rhoda Blackie (Timothy Lt. Commander Retired) from Jacksonville Florida. Also her grand Daughter Pricilla Varner (Jason Lt.USN) And Great Grand daughters Kinsey and Reagan of Fallon Nevada.

Memorial Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the West Volusia Humane Society 800 Humane Society Rd. Deland Florida 32720 or Vista Hospice 533 N. Nova Rd. Suite 206 Ormond Beach Florida 32174.