Benjamin Lee

Benjamin Hubert Lee, 91, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday evening, January 8, 2013, and went home to be with His Lord. He was surrounded by his family, who lovingly cared for him during an extended illness. Born at Hopkins, Georgia in Ware County on October 3, 1921 into the home of Noah Franklin and Catherine Davis Lee. Ben spent the remaining 86 years of his life in Charlton County, Georgia. He grew up in the Okefenokee Swamp, moving into Folkston when he married his bride of 55 years, Martha Crews Lee, on November 27, 1957. A couple of years before his retirement, he moved back out to the country he loved, just a few miles from the land where he grew up.
Ben was employed at Humphrey’s Mining Company and Hopkins-Gowen Oil Company. He was blessed by almost 30 years of retirement and he and Martha enjoyed quite a bit of traveling. He loved gardening and keeping a beautiful lawn as well as taking his children camping all over Georgia, Florida and the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee while they were growing up.
A World War II veteran, Ben served his country proudly from 1942-1946 and because he was civic-minded as well, he later served on the Folkston City Council for two terms. Most important of all to Ben Lee was his faith in God and this is the legacy he leaves to his family and friends. A faithful and active member of First Baptist Church for 55 years, he taught Sunday School and served as a deacon. His life was an inspiration to many as he lived for Jesus Christ, His Lord and Savior.
Ben Lee will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved him, especially his devoted wife of 55 years, Martha Crews Lee. Also surviving are his three children, Teresa C. Guinn (L. C.), Deborah L. Wainwright (Greg), and Tonya L. Roddenberry (Derrick), all of Folkston, four grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren; 2-Sisters: Lila McKay and Rita Drury (Milton); 2-Brothers: Jim Lee and Earl Lee and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents: Noah Franklin Lee and Catherine Davis Lee; a step-mother: Ovie Harris Lee; 2-Brothers: Vernon Lee and John Riley Lee 2-Sisters: Nellie Shakingbush and Catherine Lloyd.
The family received friends on Thursday, January 10 from 6-8 pm at Shepard Funeral Home. The home-going service was held at 11 am on Friday, January 11 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Ray McMillan and Rev. Trevor Rigdon officiating. Burial followed at Pineview Cemetery in Folkston, Georgia.