Pa Lee Thao
passed away at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff Arkansas on September 27, 2024. A faithful wife of Cher Kao Thao and a loving mother of eight children, she enjoyed spending her time gardening and sewing. In 1986, her sewing work was published in the "Hmong Art Tradition and Change" publication. She was very proud of her work and this accomplishment.

Early Life
On December 8, 1934, Pa Lee was born in Sam Nuea, Houa Phanh, Laos. Her parents were Fav Xwm Lee and May Yang. Pa Lee had six brothers and three sisters. Her brothers are Nhia Pao Lee, Xia Thai Lee, Nai Khus Ying Lee, Nai Xai Ge Lee, Neng Mai Lee, Leng Lee, and her sisters are May Lee, Khou Lee and Yer Lee. In the 1950s, she married Cher Kao Thao, and over the course of seven decades they raised nine children: five sons and four daughters. Her sons', Seng Thao and Kao Thao, and husband's, Cher Kao Thao, passings preceded her own.

Her Family
Pa Lee is survived by her children: Dr. Lyfue Thao of Hensley, Arkansas; Vaj Xeem Thao of Ardmore, Alabama; Neng Thao of Sheridan, Arkansas; Kou Thao of Sheridan, Arkansas; Sha Her of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Chia Vang of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; and Yer Thao of Thornton, Colorado. She is also survived by her twenty-three grandchildren: Bee Thao, Chengmeng Thao, Toupheng Thao, Patshia Thao, Abie Vang, Demiann Vang, Michael Vang, Amanda Vang, Darling Vang, Melynda Vang, Joe Her, Sou Her, Sunshine Her, Alex Her, Nancy Thao, Samantha Thao, Isaac Thao, Eliyahu Thao, Alexia Lor, Annex Lor, Samuel Lor, Tasha Thao, and NaviDara Thao. Furthermore, she is survived by her six great grandchildren: Ryu Lor, Channing Yang, PengXue Chang, PaYing Chang, Automne Thao, and Arlo Seng Gilles Thao.

Life During the War
In July 1978, Pa Lee's husband, Captain Cher Kao Thao, left his wife and children in Laos to escape to Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand to avoid persecution by the Lao Communist government. During this time, Pa Lee took care of her four youngest children, being able to provide food and shelter by laboring in the fields. In June 1979, Cher Kao Thao quietly returned to Laos to bring Pa Lee and his four children to Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand.

Life in the United States
In May 1980, Cher Kao Thao and Pa Lee Thao immigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin with their four youngest children. Pa Lee Thao worked as a homemaker and took charge of raising her children. With her family, she attended the St. Michael Parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, St. Theresa Catholic Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Sheridan, Arkansas. After her husband's retirement, she and Cher Kao Thao moved to Hensley, Arkansas, and later moved to live with their son in Sheridan, Arkansas. Pa Lee Thao enjoyed spending time with her family and gardening to provide fresh produce for her loved ones. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Rosemont Cemetery in Benton, Arkansas.

Thank you!
Pa Lee Thao's children, grandchildren, and family from near and far would like to express their sincere gratitude for your love, support, encouragement, flowers, monetary gifts, drinks, food, and your valuable time that you have contributed to us in our time of loss. May our Heavenly Father bless each one of you for your generosity. We will never forget your generous acts of kindness and we hope to forward those blessings to others. We request that if you ever need any of us, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Lus ua tsuag!
Peb tsev xyom cuab muaj lus ua tsaug ntau rau ib tsoom kwv tij neej tsa txhua leej txhua tus uas nej tau tuaj pab peb hlub tshua txog peb niam Paj Lee Thoj ua zaum kawg. Nej lub txiaj ntsha peb tsev xyom cuab yuav nqa, nej lub txiaj ntsig peb tsev xyom cuab yuav ris. Hnub qab nram lub ntsis yog nej tsis vam txog peb tsev xyom cuab los tseg, nej vam txog peb tsev xyom cuab peb yuav pab nej ib yam li nej twb tau pab peb lawm thiab. Thov Huab Tais Tswv Ntuj foom koob hmoov rau nej kom nej tau txais koob hmoov npluas mias.