Oprah's Mother Vernita Lee Passes Away At 83

Oprah Winfrey's mom, Vernita Lee, has died.

According to the Daily Mail, Oprah's niece, Alisha Hayes, announced that Lee had passed away on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018 — Thanksgiving Day. Sharing photos of herself with Lee, Hayes wrote, "My grandmother, Rest In Peace."

She continued, "I lost my beautiful grandma on Thanksgiving. She was the number one supporter of Pat's [Alisha's restaurant] and was the person who named our restaurant. We will miss her and will carry on her legacy of good eatin! We love you Vernita Lee!"

Winfrey's family confirmed the news of Lee's passing to People, telling the magazine that she died in her home in Milwaukee, Wis. She was 83 years old.

A rep for Winfrey shared with People that Lee had already had a funeral and had been laid to rest.

Lee, who was born in Mississippi in 1935 (via the Mirror), is survived by both Winfrey and daughter Patricia Amanda Faye Lee, who she'd given up for adoption when she was born but had reconnected with later on. She also leaves behind four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as noted by USA Today.

Besides Winfrey and Patricia, Lee was also a mother to son Jeffrey Lee and daughter Patricia Lee Lloyd. However, they have both passed away, with Jeffrey dying in 1989 and Lloyd in 2003.

While Lee was Winfrey's mother (and Vernon Winfrey her father), the famous TV host was largely raised by Lee's mother, as Lee herself had to work as a housemaid. However, Lee did live with her mother for some time when she was 6 years old.

TMZ reports that Lee may have retired from her job as a hospital dietitian after she and Winfrey reconnected. She was thought to have reportedly moved into a "luxury condo in Milwaukee" and to have started receiving $5,000 a month from her TV star daughter.

Our thoughts are with Lee's loved ones during this difficult time.