Alzata C. Lee, 90, helped open Lee’s Inlet Kitchen in 1948
January 2, 2020
Alzata Cowart Lee of Murrells Inlet, a fixture at Lee’s Inlet Kitchen, the restaurant where she started work in the 1940s, died Nov. 20 at Waccamaw Community Hospital with her daughter by her side. She was 90.
She was born Dec. 6, 1928, in Murrells Inlet, the daughter of Benjamin and Ethel Cowart.
She started working at age 10 in Parker’s grocery store on what is now Business 17. She went to school at the two-room schoolhouse in Murrells Inlet through sixth grade, then completed her education in Horry County, where she was one of 23 in her class at Myrtle Beach High School.
She began working as a waitress at Lokey’s restaurant next to Morse Landing Park while she was still in school. She then worked at the Garden City Grill before Lee’s Inlet Kitchen opened in 1948.
“We started with just four people and we all pitched in and washed dishes, scrubbed toilets and floors, and whatever needed to be done,” Mrs. Lee recalled in an interview on her 80th birthday, her 60th year at the restaurant. “We never argued. Everybody just did their work and it was a big family.”
Mrs. Lee also helped Lee’s son open his own restaurant, Wallace Lee’s.
She was married to the late Raymond Lee, who worked at International Paper and was the Murrells Inlet magistrate for many years.
Mrs. Lee also worked for 16 years at All Saints Church where she worked in childcare.
She was an active member of Timberlake Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach and was a member of the Eastern Star Woman’s Auxiliary group associated with the Shriners.
Mrs. Lee’s memories of growing up in Murrells Inlet are part of the video archive at the Georgetown County Library. There is a link at gcdigital.com.
Above all else, Mrs. Lee loved her family with her whole heart.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Lee Leone of Murrells Inlet; her grandchildren, Charles Raymond Leone and Maria Alzata Leone; her feline companions, Sugar Bear and Ozzie; and a large and loving extended family, many supportive friends, neighbors and patrons.
In addition to her husband, her son, Raymond Andrew Lee; her brothers, Carlton Cowart, Earl Cowart and Clifton Cowart; and her sister, Dot Moore, died before her.
A celebration of her life will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Myrtle Beach High School Auditorium. A visitation will follow with a light meal.
A graveside service will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a children’s charity of your choice.
There is a guest book at burroughsfh.com.
