Joe Edward Lee

Joe E. Lee

“I’ve fought a good fight, I’ve finish my course, I have kept the faith.”

II Timothy 4:7

On September 21, 1935 in the piney woods of Jasper, Texas, Everett Lee and Beulah Strahan Lee welcomed into this world a beautiful, bouncing, baby boy who they named Joe Edward Lee. He was the youngest of seven children. His elder siblings, Harold, William Bill, Robert, James Wilbert, Emma Sue, and Henrietta would become his faithful caretakers throughout his life and their bond would stand the test of time, trials, and tribulations. Joe E. Lee would be dedicated to the Lord God through his baptism at a young age by way of Evergreen Baptist Church in Jasper, TX. He attended public schools in Jasper and would finish his studies at J.H. Roe High School and then enlist into the Armed Forces. His enlistment into the United States Army would take him to Europe and back to the United States to an honorable discharge.

Joe Edward Lee would follow the migration of many African American men to the industries that drove the workforce to include the plant operations of the Gulf Coast of Texas, specifically in La Marque, Texas. Upon his migration, in hopes to join the industrial workforce, he found the love of his life, Clara Bell Wilson of Milano, Texas living with her relatives in La Marque. The two would marry on January 1, 1959, and become one for sixty-three years, as Mr. and Mrs. Joe E. Lee. Born a man who understood the importance of provision for the family as a priority, Joe would build a promising career in the grocer industries with major companies: Bogotto’s, Weingartens, and Big Chief Food.

Through his career, he built a legacy of hard-work and dedication for over forty-years until his retirement. While there, he provided opportunities for many young African American men who needed a chance to build their own beginnings and support their families.

Joe and Clara Bell Lee were blessed by the Lord God to build a family in the South Acres community of West Texas City, with the birth of four beautiful babies: Gailon Jeanette, Glenda Kay, Iveory Joe, and Everett Dan. Their four children would not only expand their family, but enhance their lives, building a heritage of love and devotion that would last for generations to come. Everyone in South Acres and beyond knew if you were hungry, bored, or just wanted to laugh it up, You were welcomed at the Lee Household.

On January 1, 2022, the Lord God gave Joe Edward Lee his purple heart of glory and brought him to his heavenly home. Preceding him in death are his five elder siblings and his loving and devoted son, Iveory Joe Lee.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his devoted Queen for sixty-three years Clara Bell Wilson Lee, his only surviving sibling James Wilbert Lee, his daughters Gailon Jeanette Slaughter and Minister Glenda Kay Mc Cray (Elton), and son Everett Dan Lee (Rolanda) and his son/nephew that he helped to raise Anthony Wilson. His grandchildren and great-grand-children: Sha’Vonne Obisike Ironche (Esterny), Aaron Swindell, Crystal George, Eric Slaughter Jr., Jasmin Gray (Dante’), Je Marcus Hood (Samantha), Courtney Lee, Morgan Gage, Blake Ivy, Karmen Lewis, Ricki George, and Dante’ Gray Jr.

Kind regards,

Sha'Vonne Obisike Ironche

Funeral Service from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.