Phillip Ernest Lee

Phillip Ernest Lee, 90, went home to be with the Lord on July 19, 2026. He was born in Pamlico County on May 15, 1936, to the late Leo and Myrtle Lee. On Christmas Day 1959, he married Verdie Mae Murray in Stonewall, NC.

Phillip proudly served in the United States Air Force for over 20 years, and he retired as a Technical Sergeant. During the Vietnam War, he served at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base in South Vietnam in 1966-1967 and at Ubon Air Base, Thailand 1969-1970 and 1972, loading weapons on F-4 Phantom jets. In the USAF, he was stationed in nine states with duty in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. After retiring from the USAF in 1977, he retired from civil service working on Harrier jet engines at Naval Aviation Depot at MCAS Cherry Point in Havelock, NC.

Leaving behind to honor and cherish the life and legacy of Phillip’s life are his loving wife of over 66 years, Verdie Lee of the home; sons, Ernie Lee and his wife, Misti, of Jacksonville, NC, and Kenneth Lee of Minot, North Dakota; and three grandchildren, Ashton, Catherine, and Carson of Jacksonville, NC.

In addition to his parents, Phillip is preceded in death by his siblings, Dennis Lee and Mary Lee and survived by sister, Virginia Fair of Pensacola, FL and brother, David Lee of Memphis, TN.

Phillip accepted Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior and he departed New Bern, NC on July 19 for glory in heaven.

The family will receive visitors from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Cotten Funeral Home in New Bern, NC. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ray Griffin officiating. Following the service, a committal service with Military Honors at Greenleaf Memorial Park in New Bern, NC.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Phillip Ernest Lee.