Roy R. Lee Sr., age 81, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Monday afternoon, February 5, 2018, at his home in Flora.
He was born March 12, 1936, in Christian County, the son of Lawrence Tracy and Theodus Bessie (Beard) Lee. He married Peggy JoAnn Sunderland on May 18, 1957 in Taylorville, and they shared 45 years of marriage together. Peggy preceded him in death June 16, 2002.
Roy worked for the past 11 years alongside his good friend, Dwight Edgington, helping tend to cattle and other chores, and just generally “instigate” as he liked to call it. He’d worked in the past helping other farmers, as well as working at Caterpillar, on a tree farm, operating a gas station, and later at World Color Press. He was especially proud of the time that he coached his sons Pee Wee Baseball team. Roy was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Germany in motor pool operations.
Roy is survived by 5 children: Tammy Mills and husband Roger of Pittsgrove, New Jersey, Brian Lee of Batesville, Mississippi, Doug Lee, Kevin Lee and wife Paula of Taylorville, and Lawrence Tracy Lee III of Flora; 13 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and a sister: Bonnie Sunderland of Stonington; and special friends: Dwight and Betty Edgington. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Peggy Lee; son: Roy Ray “Rerun” Lee Jr.; and 5 siblings: Lawrence Tracy Lee II, Beverly Carol Durbin, Barbara Mae VanHooser, Beulah Jean Moses, and Patricia Ann Farlow.
A visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Friends and family attending are asked to please dress casually. Private graveside services will be held at Campground Cemetery in Xenia where interment will follow. In lieu of flowers or gift items, the family requests that memorial donations be given to Clay County Cancer Crusaders, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.