Nina Lee Rasmussen

Nina Lee Jones Rasmussen, 80, of Lampasas, died peacefully at her daughter's home on August 11, 2013 after a five month battle with cancer. Visitation will be Wednesday August 14, 2013 from 5-7 p.m. at Sneed Funeral Chapel. Funeral service Thursday August 15, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church. Nina Lee’s body will be cremated following the service. Nina Lee was born to the late Attis Jones and the late Verna Mace Jones on their family ranch in Naruna, Burnet County on October 5, 1932. She married Howard Rasmussen on March 23, 1951 at the First Baptist Church of Lampasas. Nina was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Larry Jones; and two children: Allen Rasmussen and Laura Harrington. She is survived by her husband of 62 years; a brother, Derwood (Peggy) Jones, of Lampasas; a daughter, Karen (Ed) Cambon of Lampasas, and a son-in-law Clay Harrington of Lampasas; five grandchildren, Shannon (Scarlett) Flores of Houston, Kellie Harrington of Seattle, Carrie Harrington of Philadelphia, and Richard and Zachary Cambon of Lampasas; and two great-grandchildren. Nina Lee attended Burnet schools until the 10th grade before moving to Lampasas when her dad died in 1948. She was selected as a majorette in the Lampasas High School band her junior year. Nina Lee became a member of the LHS debate team; she and her partner, Schatzie Nixon, won several debate tournaments their junior year and, in their senior year, won the U.I.L. state tournament. She entered the University of Texas in Austin in the fall of 1950. She was selected as one of the five finalists for freshman beauty at U.T. that fall. She only attended U.T. the fall semester of 1950 because Howard finally convinced her to marry him. They lived in Lampasas until 1953, then moved to Houston and, later Austin, before moving back to Lampasas in 1959. She worked in a series of jobs, as well as helping her mother in the flower shop, before returning to the family florist business full-time in 1973. She later bought the business from her mother and sold it to her daughter, Laura, in 2000. She continued to work in the flower shop until 2011. An accomplished seamstress, she made almost all of her family's clothes, and did alterations for local businesses until well into the 2000s. An incredible cook, she always had a second "emergency" rum cake available in the freezer! She also loved to fish, golf, garden, travel, and play bridge (her fellow players were often the guinea pigs for her new recipes). But more than anything, she lived for her family. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, Pierian Club, and Daughters of the Republic of Texas. A lifelong member of the First Baptist Church, she sang in the choir and attended Sunday School regularly. Memorials should be sent to First Baptist Church 402 S. Key Ave Lampasas, TX 76550