Obituary for Morris Lee
On May 9, 2019, Morris Lee of Chesapeake Virginia, entered into eternal rest surrounded by his loving and devoted wife, daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. Morris Lee was 85 years old.
A native of Hartsville, South Carolina, Morris was born on October 8, 1933. He is predeceased by his parents Otis Lee Sr. and Gerthenia Lee, two sisters, Jedell Lee and Mildred Chancy and one brother, Otis Lee Sr.
At an early age, Morris matriculated to Norfolk, Virginia with his family and began his educational career throughout the Norfolk Public School System. After completing his primary and middle school years, Morris attended Booker T. Washington High School and graduated in 1953. Upon completion of his tenure in high school, he began designing his own blueprint for success by first receiving a scholarship to attend a Historical Black College and University formally known as Hampton Institute. Morris pursued his passion and majored in architectural design and completed a 5 year Architectural Design/Engineering Program.
After successfully graduating from Hampton Institute now known as Hampton University, Morris was enlisted into the United States Army in September of 1958 and received an honorable discharge in 1960. After serving his country, Morris began his career in the early years working for Livas & Associates, a local minority architectural firm. Expounding upon his experience, he obtained employment with The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and was instrumental in the design of several army structures on various army facilities, renovations to St. John’s A.M.E. Church and contributed to upgrading restroom accommodations for St. Pauls’ United Methodist Church. Morris worked with the Army Corps of Engineers for 36 years.
In February 1969, he met the love of his wife Edith Hewitt and after a brief courtship; they were married on July 19, 1969. In 1977, they welcomed their first and only child, Tamatha Terrell Lee. Together in love, they were able to build their first home in Virginia Beach, Virginia and later in 1983 they moved to Chesapeake, Virginia.
Morris was previously active in the BTW High School Alumni, St. Paul’s UMC Choir, instrumental in coordinating St. Paul’s UMC Yard Sales, United Methodist Men and most recent years monetarily donating to Second Calvary Baptist Church’s Youth Kenya fund.
In the last 10 years of his journey on earth, he was faced with many health challenges. He was a warrior of Multiple Myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow), Diabetes, Kidney Disease, an amputation and most recently a heart attack. With God’s grace and mercy, he endured Dialysis and Chemotherapy treatments. Throughout his life and no matter what he was faced with, he always remained faithful in his belief in God and fought with dignity, demonstrated determination, strength, and perseverance.
He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 49 years Edith Hewitt Lee, a daughter Tamatha Hall (Kevin), a son Morris Brown (Leola); two sisters, Katie Gayton and Carolyn Daniels (Calvin); one brother Harold Lee (Shirley); two grandchildren Laiya Tamia Hall and Kevin Solomon Hall. He also leaves to cherish extended family and friends Brenda and Angela Holley, Cynthia Crawley, Judith Caldwell (Edward); Carla Howard-Perkins (Hamilton), Hamilton Perkins Jr., Jason Crawley (Arkitia); Matthew Crawley, Evan H. Johnson (Kevin); Butch Bowser (Virgie) ; William Mann (Charlie); Karen and Johnny Kearse, Shirley Pegram (Clarence); Tinesha Lamb (Jean Pascal); Lauryn Lamb, Donald Miles (Faye); Benjamin Smiley (Veronica); Ronald (Joyce) Myers Annette Jarrett (Kevin); Mary Fuselier (Kendall) as well as a host of relatives and wealth friends.
He was a devoted Husband, Father, Brother, Grandfather, Friend and a dedicated Community Servant.
The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Dr. Scott Cross & Barbara Piper, Fresenius Kidney Care, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, Dr. Patrick Agnew, and Compassionate Hospice Care.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to American Association for Diabetes, Multiple Myeloma, National Kidney Foundation and Second Calvary Baptist Church Kenya Missions.
A native of Hartsville, South Carolina, Morris was born on October 8, 1933. He is predeceased by his parents Otis Lee Sr. and Gerthenia Lee, two sisters, Jedell Lee and Mildred Chancy and one brother, Otis Lee Sr.
At an early age, Morris matriculated to Norfolk, Virginia with his family and began his educational career throughout the Norfolk Public School System. After completing his primary and middle school years, Morris attended Booker T. Washington High School and graduated in 1953. Upon completion of his tenure in high school, he began designing his own blueprint for success by first receiving a scholarship to attend a Historical Black College and University formally known as Hampton Institute. Morris pursued his passion and majored in architectural design and completed a 5 year Architectural Design/Engineering Program.
After successfully graduating from Hampton Institute now known as Hampton University, Morris was enlisted into the United States Army in September of 1958 and received an honorable discharge in 1960. After serving his country, Morris began his career in the early years working for Livas & Associates, a local minority architectural firm. Expounding upon his experience, he obtained employment with The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and was instrumental in the design of several army structures on various army facilities, renovations to St. John’s A.M.E. Church and contributed to upgrading restroom accommodations for St. Pauls’ United Methodist Church. Morris worked with the Army Corps of Engineers for 36 years.
In February 1969, he met the love of his wife Edith Hewitt and after a brief courtship; they were married on July 19, 1969. In 1977, they welcomed their first and only child, Tamatha Terrell Lee. Together in love, they were able to build their first home in Virginia Beach, Virginia and later in 1983 they moved to Chesapeake, Virginia.
Morris was previously active in the BTW High School Alumni, St. Paul’s UMC Choir, instrumental in coordinating St. Paul’s UMC Yard Sales, United Methodist Men and most recent years monetarily donating to Second Calvary Baptist Church’s Youth Kenya fund.
In the last 10 years of his journey on earth, he was faced with many health challenges. He was a warrior of Multiple Myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow), Diabetes, Kidney Disease, an amputation and most recently a heart attack. With God’s grace and mercy, he endured Dialysis and Chemotherapy treatments. Throughout his life and no matter what he was faced with, he always remained faithful in his belief in God and fought with dignity, demonstrated determination, strength, and perseverance.
He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 49 years Edith Hewitt Lee, a daughter Tamatha Hall (Kevin), a son Morris Brown (Leola); two sisters, Katie Gayton and Carolyn Daniels (Calvin); one brother Harold Lee (Shirley); two grandchildren Laiya Tamia Hall and Kevin Solomon Hall. He also leaves to cherish extended family and friends Brenda and Angela Holley, Cynthia Crawley, Judith Caldwell (Edward); Carla Howard-Perkins (Hamilton), Hamilton Perkins Jr., Jason Crawley (Arkitia); Matthew Crawley, Evan H. Johnson (Kevin); Butch Bowser (Virgie) ; William Mann (Charlie); Karen and Johnny Kearse, Shirley Pegram (Clarence); Tinesha Lamb (Jean Pascal); Lauryn Lamb, Donald Miles (Faye); Benjamin Smiley (Veronica); Ronald (Joyce) Myers Annette Jarrett (Kevin); Mary Fuselier (Kendall) as well as a host of relatives and wealth friends.
He was a devoted Husband, Father, Brother, Grandfather, Friend and a dedicated Community Servant.
The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Dr. Scott Cross & Barbara Piper, Fresenius Kidney Care, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, Dr. Patrick Agnew, and Compassionate Hospice Care.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to American Association for Diabetes, Multiple Myeloma, National Kidney Foundation and Second Calvary Baptist Church Kenya Missions.