Longtime Southern Miss women’s basketball coach Joye Lee-McNelis met her husband, Dennis McNelis, at Texas State University.
Joye Lee-McNelis tragically passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 63 after an eight-year battle with cancer.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer for the third time before the 2023-24 season, this time with Stage 4 lung cancer.
It occasionally caused her to miss games that season, and she was absent from even more games last season.
Lee-McNelis announced on February 25 that she was retiring when the season ended.
Southern Miss took to their official Twitter handle and mourned the death of Joye Lee-McNelis. They wrote,
We are saddened to announce the passing of Lady Eagle legend, Coach Joye Lee-McNelis.
Southern Miss
Associate head women’s basketball coach at LSU Women’s basketball, Bob Starkey, also took to her Facebook handle and offered his heartfelt condolences. He wrote,
Today we lost an outstanding coach and an even better person…and I lost a friend…I will so miss our summer conversations…thank you Joye Lee McNelis for all the many you impacted — including me!
Bob Starkey
The University of Memphis Women’s Basketball also took to their social media and mourned the death of Joye Lee-McNelis by stating,
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former head coach Joye Lee-McNelis. Joye changed the lives of so many Memphis student-athletes and staff, and she will be dearly missed.
University of Memphis Women’s Basketball
Joye will always be remembered for her unforgettable contribution as the head coach of the Southern Miss women’s basketball team.
Rest in Heaven, Joye Lee-McNelis.
Joye Lee-McNelis And Dennis McNelis Were Married For Over 37 Years
As per the reports, Joye Lee-McNelis and Dennis McNelis met at Texas State University.
Moreover, Dennis served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Florida State when Joye was a star player at the University of Southern Mississippi.
They tied the knot in 1988, after dating for several years. On June 5, 2017, Joey took to her official Facebook handle and wished Dennis a happy 29th marriage anniversary.
She wrote,
29 years ago I was blessed to marry my soulmate who has walked with me every step of the way. I am so thankful God put us together. I love you Dennis. Great memories that will last a lifetime and each day we create more.
Joye Lee McNelis
Sadly, their married life ended after around 37 years following the tragic death of Joye Lee-McNelis.
Close ones and relatives have sent their heartfelt condolences to Dennis to stay strong in this heartbreaking moment.
According to Dennis’s LinkedIn profile, he attended Belmont Abbey College from 1967 to 1971.
Later, he received his master’s degree in student counseling and personnel services from Clemson University.
From 1978 to 1986, he served as the college basketball coach at Clemson University. For 13 years, he served as a counselor at Mississippi Community College.
Currently, he serves as a counselor at Lamar County Schools, specifically at Oak Grove High School.
Coach Joye Lee-McNelis And Her Husband, Dennis McNelis, Were Blessed With Two Children
After several years of marriage, Joye Lee-McNelis and Dennis McNelis were blessed with their first child, a daughter named Whitney Wilkerson McNelis.
According to Whitney’s Facebook profile, she attended Oak Grove High School and later pursued a career in nursing at the University of Southern Mississippi.
She served as a registered nurse at Forrest General Hospital. Currently, she serves as a nurse practitioner at Forrest General Cancer Center.
Whitney tied the knot with Michael Wilkerson on May 24, 2014. They share two children, Emma Grace and Caroline Lee.
Currently, Whitney is mourning the tragic death of her supportive and devoted mother, Joye Lee-McNelis.
On the other hand, Joye and Dennis welcomed their second child, a son named Connor, who is following in the footsteps of his parents as he is an assistant coach at Arkansas State.
Earlier, Connor quit his job and took an unpaid role on Southern Miss’ staff so he could move back home and help his mother fight cancer.
According to Connor’s Facebook profile, he attended Oak Grove High School and later enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Connor served as the video coordinator for women’s basketball at Florida Atlantic University. He is a former assistant women’s basketball coach at Nicholls State University.
Recently, Connor posted a photo of himself and his mother, Joye Lee-McNelis, as a tribute.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Joye Lee-McNelis started her head coaching career at Memphis from 1991 to 2004 and then finished it with the Lady Eagles from 2004 to 2025.
- As a freshman, she was a great scorer for the Lady Eagle program, helping the 1980-81 squad to Southern Miss’s first-ever postseason tournament appearance.
- Joye Lee-McNelis was born to her father, Louis Lee, Sr., and her mother, Nell Lee. She grew up with her brother, Louise Lee, Jr.
