Reverend Billy Gene Lee, Sr.

Homer Harrison Lee and Raydell Johnson Lee welcomed Billy Gene into the Lee family on January 10, 1934, in Rusk County, Texas. Billy received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 12 at Bethel Temple COGIC under the auspices of then Superintendent S. D. Lee. He continued to preach The Word for The Lord these last eighty years. Amen!

Billy Gene matriculated at Emmett Scott High School in Tyler, Texas and graduated in 1952. He immediately packed his bags and left farm life behind to evangelize the world. He stopped in Louisiana and found a bride, Amanda Lartigue. They moved to Buffalo, New York, where Billy worked for Bethlehem Steel Company during the day, and evangelized on the street corners evenings and weekend for many years. While there, 6 children were born and reared to this union. Youth and inexperience proved to be too much and the marriage dissolved.

Undeterred in his faith journey, Evangelist Lee returned to Tyler, evangelized on the street corners nights and weekend, and decided to earn his bachelor’s degree from Texas College. He worked at Tyler Steel Company during the day. By the mid-1960s, Billy decided to try love again. He met Annie T.; they wed in 1966. They moved from Tyler to Dallas, Texas. One child was born to this union. Billy decided to earn his Masters of Theology through the distinguished Perkins School of Theology at SMU and graduated in 1972. Billy G. also became a certified educator in the State of Texas. He worked at Wilmer-Hutchins ISD until 2000 when he retired from Texas Public Schools Education. He further served the community through the trades of insurance, construction and landscaping.

Reverend Lee established three other churches before successfully planting Charisma COGIC in Dallas, Texas in 1975. Charisma grew and thrived in spite of challenges that arose. Pastor Lee is known for delivering the pure, unadulterated Word of God. He has been a consistently gentle yet firm leader. One could not help being persuaded of the veracity of The Word of God. Pastor had a whoop that let you know he was headed for the mountain top. He would dance (better than James Brown and George Jefferson) as the whole church caught on fire in praise and worship. Rev. walked the walk as he talked the talk. Amen!

Pastor Lee served leadership as a chauffeur for Bishops J. N. Haynes, G. E. Patterson and C. H. Mason during conventions and special occasions. He worked in Texas Northeast 1st Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the COGIC Church for more than 60 years. His works speak for him.

After enduring the heat of the battle for 92 years, Pastor Lee traded his clergy robe for a long white robe. Sunday afternoon on August 23, 2026, Reverend Lee danced on the streets made of gold. He is likely preaching and whooping with the best of them. Amen!

Reverend Billy Gene Lee, Sr. was welcomed into Heaven by his beloved wife, Annie Lois Thomas Lee; his parents; 3 of his siblings, and his daughter, Monica Braswell.

Pastor Lee leaves to Celebrate his Life and Legacy of Service 6 children, Jehan Ali (Shahid, Taj & Mecca); Valerie Hunley (Talisha and Carl, Jr); Billy Gene [Loretta] Lee, Jr. (Bernice, Keyon, Malika & Akeem); Monica Braswell (Nekia, JeRae & Ashley, Jr.); Shelia [Tom] Minter (Thomas, Jr., Antwan & Antione); Yolanda Braswell (Runell); Caroline Lee (Thomas Lee-Little) 17 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and 16 great-great grandchildren.