of Clinton, AR
May 26, 1940 - April 17, 2016
Joe Edwin Lee, Sr. went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at the age of 75 after a short but mighty battle with heart and lung disease. He was born on May 26, 1940 in Conway, Arkansas to Esther Ann (Hall) Lee and James Carl Lee of Damascus, Arkansas. He attended school in Damascus until the 6th grade and finished high school at South Side Bee Branch in 1958. He grew up showing cattle as a young boy and developed his love for the car business working alongside his father at their Esso Station in Damascus. He gave his life to Christ and was baptized at the age of eleven alongside his twin sister Lou in the original First Baptist Church building in Damascus, where he would later teach Sunday school. Joe attended Arkansas Tech University and the University of Arkansas. He was also a member of the National Guard.
Joe married his wife of 53 years, MaryLou (Lefler) of Clinton, Arkansas on April 12, 1963 at the First United Methodist Church in Clinton, Arkansas. Joe worked for his father at the Esso Station in Damascus as a young boy until after he married. He also worked for a short time on the local Titan II missile silos. In 1967, he joined his wife's family at Lefler Chevrolet and later fully purchased the business by 1981 and it became known as Joe Lee Chevrolet. Joe enjoyed the car business and the cattle business his entire life. Even though he often talked about retiring from both, he never gave up his love of people or the love of a trade. Whether it was trucks, tractors or farms, Joe enjoyed connecting with people. He so enjoyed the opportunity to help someone. It was always his desire to give rather than to receive. He spent countless hours making jelly for the pleasure of giving it away to hundreds of people. He was a blessed man, who believed in giving back, and served on numerous boards and committees including the Area Agency on Aging, the Super Chevy Dealers, the Rotary Club and the South Side School Board.
Joe was dearly loved by his family and is survived by his wife MaryLou, and their four children, Joe E. Lee, Jr. (Joey) of Clinton, Ginger Ann Lee-Wood and her husband C. Mark Wood of Bee Branch Mountain, Susan Frances Lee-Ward and her husband Steven J. Ward of Clinton, Justin Russell Lee and his wife Jessica Caroline Stagg Lee of Clinton, and a beloved twin sister, Lou Ann Lee Burchfield and her husband O.D. of Wooster, Arkansas. Joe is also survived by six grandchildren that he adored: Abigail Suzanne Lester Bonds (22) and husband Lawson K. Bonds, Harrison Bradlee Lester (19), Rylee Jonmark Wood (18), Jacob Carson Wood (16), Anna Caroline Lee (14) and Gracie Kate Lee (12). He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins and a large group of dearly beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his devoted parents, Carl (1979) and Esther Lee (1996).
A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 2pm at the First Baptist Church in Damascus, Arkansas where Joe was a lifelong member. Long-time family friend, Bro. Tommy Hall will be officiating. Honorary pall bearers will be the coffee shop gang that he loved so much and enjoyed on a daily basis. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Joe Lee Chevrolet from 6-8pm. In honor of Joe's wishes, he will ''go rest high on the mountain'' on his farm on Bee Branch Mountain that he loved so much. In lieu of flowers, it was Joe's desire that remembrances be made to Companion Spay & Neuter (589 Highway 65 North, Greenbrier, Arkansas 72058), or Operation Kindness (P.O. Box 543, Marshall, Arkansas 72650), in honor of his wife's lifelong commitment.
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14 Condolence(s)
James Henson
Friday, April 22, 2016
I'm only sorry I didn't have more time spent with Joe. He was such a joy to be around. Joe will be missed by more people than anyone I know. . Love to the family.
Dena riddle Tumblson
Thursday, April 21, 2016
I'm so sorry to hear about Joe. I sure did think a lot about him and the family. Prayers go out to you all
Jesse Bradford
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Joey and Susan,
I considered your dad a dear friend, as I am sure many others did.
He helped me out, as did the two of you, many times. Joe was a wonderful, generous and caring man. He will be fondly remembered by many. Your dad and mom even delivered a car to me in Florida, because I could not make it back to Clinton. I am sure you will see his legacy continue through the two of you, in Joe Lee Chevrolet.
Please know that I am thinking of you, your mom and your sister and brother during this time.
Boyce Watkins
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
I was sorry to hear that Joe had passed away. He touched many lives and will be missed greatly. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during their time of sorrow.
Dennis Teague Chevrolet
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
We are so sorry for you loss. Mr. Lee was one of the best. He will be greatly missed.
Alice Chambers
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Mary Lou, and family I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Alice Chambers
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Mary Lou, and family I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ben Joyner
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Marylou,
Please know our heartfelt sympathy is with your and your family. I have many fond memories of Joe and the time spent with your family. Such a nice man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ben & Terrie Joyner
Tamara Avery
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
I am so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was known and respected by many people in my family and was always such a joy to be around. I never saw Joe that he wasn't smiling and glad to see me. I will miss him. The family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Danny Bradford
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers go out to all the family.
Danny Bradford
Ruby Hopper
Monday, April 18, 2016
Mary Lou and family I am so sorry for your loss. Joe was a good person and will be missed by all who knew him.
Prayers for the family
Williams Family
Monday, April 18, 2016
Susan and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Your family is very special to us. Our love to each of you,
Jerrod, Brandi, Baylor and Judson
Linda (Leonard) Newman
Monday, April 18, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with this family. My family loved Joe he was a great person and very respected by many. He will be greatly missed.
Linda Newman
Les Smith
Monday, April 18, 2016
We're so sorry to hear about your loss and you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
With our love.
Les and Kathryn Smith.
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