Deacon Jerry Lee
1954 ~ 2020
Date of Death: June 10, 2020
In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Lee family. Jerry’s earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Deacon Jerry Lee.
Sincerely,
Derrick Veasley ~ Director
Henry Veasley ~ Director
Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain
Jerry Lee, Sr. was born on Saturday, January 23, 1954 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to the late Herbert and Mae Ella (Paden) Lee, Sr. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Kathy Brassfield, Ellectrice “Miss Lee” Fields, Stanley “Bee” Lee, Sr., and Brenda “Shoe” Surrell.
Jerry accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the early age of 12. He was baptized at the King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church on 8th Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was educated in the Fort Smith Public Schools, Howard Elementary, Darby Junior High, and graduated from Northside High in 1972. Jerry played and loved basketball at Darby Junior High School. He was known as “Clown” on the court and “Dirty Lee” to his family. Back in the day, he was a coach at the Boys Club on Wheeler Avenue.
At the age of 15, he met his best friend and the love of his love, Benethel Renee Hall, he nicknamed her “BEN”. The most extraordinary event happened on Saturday, September 14, 1974; they were joined as one in holy matrimony. Together, they were able to nurture three of the most beautiful children in the world. As time moved forward, they were blessed with two more daughters.
Jerry went on to attend Westark Community College (University of Arkansas at Fort Smith), where he received his Certificate in Surgical Operating Technician. He was an awesome teacher for 22 years at Westark, and he also worked for 33 years at Sparks (Baptist Health). In 1985, he received an honorable discharge from the Army National Guard. In 1986 he received an Associate’s Degree from the Medical of Sciences College of Nursing. In 1990, he received a certificate from the Mobile Urology Group in Mobile, Alabama. In 1991, he received a certificate from the National Coalition Region VI Parent Conference. In 2005, he received recognition from the University of Arkansas for his work in Surgical Technology. After all those years of working, he finally retired. In retirement, he worked part-time for Rowell-Parish Mortuary.
Jerry was a very hard-working man, who loved and protected his family and friends. Once you became a part of his circle, you never had to worry about him being a friend. One of the most fascinating things about his life, was the fact that he was able to enjoy his grandchildren. They called him “Papa Jerry”. He will be greatly missed by those who loved and cherished every experience in life they had with Him.
Jerry was an awesome Deacon for many years in and around the Fort Smith community. He started at the King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church labored under the direction of Rev. Louis McGill and also spent many years under Rev. Alan Smith, Sr. His last few years as a deacon were spent at the Saint James Missionary Baptist Church under the Late Rev. G. L. Hinkle and currently Rev. Paul E. Davis. At St. James, he was known as the “Dancing Deacon”, and the Superintendent of Sunday School. He enjoyed working with the youth, and was a strong supporter of pushing them into their futures. He had two awesome experiences happen in his life, for he got the chance to take two mission trips to work in Haiti. He did get to work in surgery while he was in Haiti.
Jerry leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Benethel Renee Lee of Fort Smith, Arkansas; his five beautiful children, Alicia (Denise) Lee-Chiles of Chicago, Illinois, Jerry (Amanda) Lee, Jr. of Bentonville, Arkansas, DeAngelo (Lisa) Lee of Chicago, Illinois and Gwendolyn Adkins of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Nataliya Metcalf of Fayetteville, Arkansas; eleven grandchildren; seven siblings, Phyllis Bell of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Herbert (Julene) Lee, Jr. of Beaumont, California, Bessie (Terry) Warren, Bobby Joe Lee, Marilyn Reese, Dorothea Cherry, and Donna Waterbury all six of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.
Public Visitation will be Tuesday, June 16, 2020 from 12:30pm to 8 p.m. at Rowell-Parish Mortuary 611 North 9th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.
