Ayliss E."A.E."Lee

A former resident of Baker since 1957 and a resident of Denham Springs, Ayliss E. "A.E." "Big Lee" Lee Jr. died Friday, April 18, 2008. He had been residing at Harvest Manor Nursing Home after suffering a massive stroke on Oct. 26, 2007. He was born June 2, 1932, in New Orleans and grew up in Tylertown, Miss. He was the eldest son of Ayliss and Florence Welch Lee. He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Mary Lorraine Bennett Lee; his children, Cheryl Lee Jackson and husband Larry, of Walker, Wanda Lee Genola and friend Vernon, and Theresa Lee, all of Denham Springs, Tina Lee McCann and husband Bill, of Friendswood, Texas, and Michael Lee and wife Lisa, of Plaquemine. He leaves behind five grandchildren, Jason Lee and wife Rachael, Angal Whittington, Katy and Billy McCann and Payton Lee; and a great-grandchild, Allen Whittington. He also leaves behind his siblings, Charles Lee, Floyd Lee, John Lee and Peggy Guidry and their spouses. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Stanley Earl, and two grandchildren, Chad Dove and Robert Whittington. A.E. retired from Saia Electric in 1989. Before his stroke, he had owned and operated Auto Dealers Transfer Service. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs. Before moving to Denham Springs three years ago, he had been an active member of St. Isidore Catholic Church in Baker since 1965, serving as usher, commentator and lector, as well as on committees and boards of St. Isidore Elementary School. He served in many capacities in the Knights of Columbus Council 4085 in Baker including past master of the 4th Degree, grand knight and was named Knight of the Month 23 times, Knight of the Year six times, and Sir Knight of the Year five times. He received the prestigious Order of the St. Louis Award and was named Person of the Year amongst such notables as Bishop Stanley Ott, Mayor Tom Ed McHugh and Coach Dale Brown. He also served the Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. While at the Knights of Columbus Council 6303 in Denham Springs, he served as financial secretary for that council. All of his awards for his dedication of more than 40 years to the Knights of Columbus are too numerous to mention here. He was most proud of his service on the board of directors for Retarded Children of the State of Louisiana and his assistance with retarded citizens, helping them meet their greatest potential. He promoted the Special Olympics Games through the KC's by providing food during the events. In 2002, he was selected as the Outstanding Citizen of the Year of Baker by the InterClub Council of Baker. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict as a radio operator. The family would like to thank special friends Wallace Hutchinson and Louis Rogge, as well as all of the nurses and aides at Harvest Manor who took good care of A.E. Also, a special thank you to Larry, Vernon and Peggy. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd. on Sunday, April 20, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Funeral service at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs at 1 p.m. Monday, officiated by the Rev. Vincent Dufresne. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Baker. Pallbearers will be Wallace Hutchinson, Jerry Mires, A.J. Labello, Curtis Jones, Jay Guidry and Paul Fortenbury. Special thanks to Knights of Columbus Monsignor Gassler fourth degree.