Ewell Black Lee Jr.

Ewell Lee went to be with his heavenly Father on April 10, 2024. Born on February 19, 1932 to Ewell Black Lee and Ruth Reaves Lee in Fort Smith, Arkansas, he lived most of his life there. After graduating from Fort Smith High School in 1950, he attended Fort Smith Junior College before going on to attend the University of Arkansas. There he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and a member of the University of Arkansas tennis team. Upon graduation, he married Nancy Dills and joined the Air Force, serving in Big Springs, TX and Sumpter, SC as a 2nd lieutenant. He returned to Fort Smith and began working at Arkhola Sand and Gravel, eventually becoming the company’s president. Later he worked at Merrill Lynch and ended his career at Citizens Bank and Trust. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Deacon and a trustee, the University of Arkansas Century Circle, and a lifetime member of the Razorback A Club. He was a big supporter of the University of Arkansas tennis program, where many of the players became like sons to him, which led to Ewell being inducted into the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor. Ewell was a natural athlete who enjoyed tennis, golf, and snow skiing.

Ewell was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, S. Reaves Lee. He is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Nancy Dills Lee; his daughters, Cathy Dougherty (Bob), Lucy Easley (Price) and Laura Lanier (Lance); grandchildren Robert Dougherty (Rachel), Lee Busbee (Brian), Calvin Easley, Baxter Easley (Samantha), Benjamin Lanier, Gray Gordy, Wren Lanier, and Kate Lanier; and great-grandchildren Mac Busbee, Annie Busbee, Hallie Dougherty, and Paul Dougherty.

Special thanks go to his caregivers at Methodist Village Assisted Living, especially Melissa and Chasity, and to the staff at Greenhurst Nursing Center.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 19th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Fort Smith, Arkansas, followed by a reception in the church parlor. There will be a private family burial. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Greg Fess, Robert Cox, and Mark Dutton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ewell’s honor to the First Presbyterian Church, 116 N. 12th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901 or go to www.1pres.org

Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.