Both of her parents held strong conservative views, which she began to challenge at a young age.

After moving with her family to Roanoke, Virginia, she attended the National Business College there.

She, Kee, and her two children from her previous marriage moved to Bluefield, West Virginia.

[2] After struggling to win support for economic redevelopment plans for her home district in West Virginia during the Eisenhower Administration, Kee supported John F. Kennedy's successful campaign in 1960 and, through the Accelerated Public Works Act, funneled millions of dollars to the state through an Area Redevelopment Administration.

The Elizabeth Kee Federal Building in Bluefield, WV is named in her honor.