Edward Earl Lee

Earl was born in Shuqualak, Mississippi on March 5, 1923 to James Albert Lee and Ester Brown Lee. His Father worked at the local sawmill at that time, and his Mother was a housewife. He was the second of what would eventually become four children. At a young age, his family found their way to Mobile, Alabama. Earl worked in the meat and grocery industry almost his entire work life. He started by working at a few Mom and Pop owned stores (such as Williams Grocery), and eventually made his way to Foodtown, Inc. where he worked at first as a butcher, then meat market manager, then meat supervisor and merchandiser, and ultimately head of the meat departments for the entire chain. Foodtown ultimately sold to Graves and Company, which handled the IGA Franchise, and Earl was instrumental in the initial transition. However, Earl always wanted his own business and in 1972, he founded The Meat Block, a meat specialty/grocery store in Eight Mile, Alabama where he worked alongside his wife, Marie Lee for over 32 years. Other locations followed, each managed by one of Earl's three sons. Earl eventually sold his business in 2005, and the original Meat Block store still exists today.

Earl loved to dance, and he and Marie were regular attendees of McLaneys Senior Dance, as well as other senior dances within the area. Earl was also a regular attendee of Moffett Road Baptist Church, until a decline in both his and Marie's health kept them from doing so. He also loved to play dominoes, games and cards, and would get quite competitive, especially when playing Mexican Train, Canasta, and even UNO.

Earl is survived by his three sons; Ronnie Lee (Sherry), Mike Lee (Janis), and Jimmy Lee (Stephanie), six grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and scores of nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Marie Lee, his parents, his three siblings, son Bobby Lee (Cindy) and grandson, Jeffrey Lee, along with numerous other friend and family. Funeral service for Earl will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at Pine Crest Funeral Home, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Alabama 36605. Visitation will be held from 10 AM to 1 PM, with a chapel service at 1PM. Graveside service will be held immediately after and Earl will be laid to rest in the Lee Family Plot in Pine Crest Cemetery, Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Alabama.