Entertainment News

Oprah Winfrey honors late mom Vernita Lee: 'She lived a good life'

By Annie Martin   |   Nov. 27, 2018 at 10:08 AM
Oprah Winfrey shared a throwback photo with her mother, Vernita Lee, and extended family following her mom's death. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI Oprah Winfrey attends the Golden Globe Awards on January 7. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI Oprah Winfrey attends the David Foster Foundation Miracle Gala on October 21, 2017. File Photo by Heinz Ruckemann/UPI

Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Oprah Winfrey is paying tribute to her late mom, Vernita Lee.

The 64-year-old media mogul shared a throwback photo with Lee and their extended family Monday following her mother's death last week.

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The picture shows Winfrey, her longtime partner, Stedman Graham, and family gathered around Lee at a table. Winfrey thanked fans for their support in the caption.

"Thank you all for your kind words and condolences regarding my mother Vernita Lee's passing. It gives our family great comfort knowing she lived a good life and is now at Peace," she wrote.

Lee died Thursday on Thanksgiving at her home in Milwaukee, Wisc. Winfrey's rep told People Lee was laid to rest at a private funeral.

Lee is survived by Winfrey and daughter Patricia Amanda Faye Lee, whom she placed for adoption as an infant. She was preceded in death by her two other children, Jeffrey Lee and Patricia Lee Lloyd.

Winfrey was raised by her grandmother before being sent to live with Lee at six years old and had a strained relationship with her mom. She encouraged fans to have "a perfect love for imperfect people" in an Oprah's Lifeclass in 2013.