Lee Rhea Johns-Mabry

Ethics & Conflict Resolution Board Member

Lee Rhea Johns-Mabry, RN, MSN, LNC, Lt. Col. (Retired)

  • 43 years as a Registered Nurse: Retired 2021. Retired my license 2026.

  • Oncology, Hospice and Palliative Care and Workers Compensation Experience.

  • Education: Master of Science in Nursing, Adult Health/Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Curriculum; 2 bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Nursing.

  • Retired 28 years in the United States Air Force Reserves: 10 years Chief Nurse Executive experience, 14 years' experience as an Aeromedical Evacuation Flight Nurse and 4 years as a Clinical Nurse.

  • Active with the Charles George VA Medical Center

  • Active with Brothers and Sisters Like These Writing Group

Career Path and Professional Growth

After college, Lee Rhea faced challenges entering her chosen field when social work jobs were frozen by President Carter. She spent a year working in retail and then joined the Board of Registrars in Jefferson County, Birmingham, Alabama, as a data entry clerk. Lee Rhea also explored a career with the FBI, scoring the 70th percentile on the entrance exam. Although she did not advance, she took pride in her performance given her academic background.

With limited social work opportunities, Lee Rhea returned to school to complete her BSN in Nursing. While in nursing school, she gained experience as a nursing assistant at UAB and began her professional nursing career on the Medical Oncology floor after graduation. Lee Rhea’s passion led her to hospice care, where she spent approximately 19 years in hospice and oncology roles.

In 1988, a headhunter recruited Lee Rhea for a Head Nurse position at Greenville Hospital System’s Oncology unit. Although an internal candidate stepped up for the role, Lee Rhea was offered the choice between Head Nurse and Hospice Nurse Clinician. She chose hospice and relocated from Birmingham to Greenville SC. After Desert Shield/Storm, Lee Rhea continued as a Hospice Clinician and later worked in Oncology.

Lee Rhea married in November 2002 and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where her husband was stationed at the State Headquarters for the NC National Guard. Over the next decade, Lee Rhea worked for Hospice of Wake County and as a contractor for the NC National Guard. In July 2013, she and her family moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where they bought an estate sale franchise and worked together as a family. Lee Rhea also worked as a Rehabilitation Nurse Consultant until her retirement in March 2023, after which she became more involved with the Blue Ridge ZTA alumnae group.

Honors and Recognition

Over the course of 28 years with the US Air Force Reserves, Lee Rhea was awarded several medals for her service. She has also been recognized by several professional organizations, including:

  • National Association of Professional Women's VIP Woman of the Year (2014-2015)

  • Madison Who's Who (2012/2013)

  • Covington Who's Who of Professionals (2012/2013)

  • Marquis' Who's Who in American Nursing (1996/97)

  • Marquis' Who's Who in the World (1995)

  • Marquis' Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America (1993/94)

  • Marquis' Who's Who of American Women (1991/92, 1993/94)

  • Marquis' Who's Who of Science and Engineering (1992/93)