Robert Elson Lee Sr.

Robert “Bobby” Elson Lee, Sr, 83, of Stockbridge Georgia, peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 25, 2023, surrounded by his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Viola Lee.

Bobby was born May 17, 1940, in Athens, Tennessee. When Bobby was a boy, he was an Eagle Scout, took piano lessons with his sister, Ginny, and he played the tuba in the high school marching band for McMinn County High School (1959).

In 1962, he married his sweetheart, Loretta, who he met at the A&W drive-in in Sweetwater while she was working. That same year, he enlisted in the military. Bobby was a veteran of the United States Army serving as a welder on tanks during the Vietnam era. Starting at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, then Stationed in Fairbanks, AK and finally, Ft. Hood, TX. While stationed at Fort Hood, his first child, Lora, was born.

In 1965, after the army and starting a family, they moved to the Atlanta area. In a few years, his son, Rob, was born. When the children were young, they attended Ash Street Baptist church for many years and made many wonderful friends that are cherished friends today. Later attending First Baptist Church of Atlanta where he volunteered on the parking lot committee and media. When the church relocated further north, Bobby and Loretta joined a church closer to home and have been long standing members of Eagles Landing Baptist Church. His passion was supporting Christian missionaries and the Harvest of Israel ministry.

He was an over the road truck driver with the Teamsters Union for nearly 30 years. If you know him, you have heard many stories about that! After his trucking years, Bob drove a school bus for another 15 years. This was with the Clayton County School System for special needs children. School bus rides in the early mornings were sometimes cold and still in the dark with sleepy children that fell asleep with their heads on the window. Bob bought pillows for each child and asked Loretta to buy material and make pillowcases. He also met a special friend, Nigel, who rode his bus. Bobby and Nigel hit it off well as friends and Nigel invited Mr. Bobby, as he was known on the bus, to his birthday party which Bobby and Loretta attended. Nigel, his mom, Bob and Loretta met from time to time at the IHOP for breakfast so Nigel could visit Mr. Bobby and they remained friends with the family.

Bobby enjoyed working in the yard, Nascar, car shows, traveling and getting together with his children and Grandchildren. He also met once a month with the men from the Teamsters for lunch, the Veterans group (the Henry County Chapter) for dinner and his men’s Bible study group for breakfast.

Bob was truly loved by his family and friends, and he loved them in return. Bob is most thought of for being a hard and unstoppable worker and would help anyone in need. He truly is one of the last of the greatest generation that ever lived!

Bobby is survived by the love of his life for 61 years, Loretta Caldwell Lee; beloved children, Lora Lee of Stockbridge, Rob Lee and his wife, Janet of Macon; cherished granddaughters, Lynsey Lee, Robyn Lee and Chloe Aaron Lee; his sister, Ginny Maples of Seymour, Tn; his niece, Lori Maples Wright and her husband Gordon of Seymour, Tn., and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins from Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia.

Funeral services will be held at Haisten Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, July 1, 2023. Visitation from 10:00 – 11:00AM. Service starts at 11:00AM. Pastor Howard Greer will officiate. A graveside service will be held Sunday, July 2, 2023, at 2:00PM at the cemetery at Corinth Baptist Church, 6100 Corinth Church Rd, Loudon, TN 37774. Pastor Adam Cook will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts may be sent to: Harvest of Israel www.harvestofisrael.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haistenfunerals.com for the Lee family.