James (Jim) Franklin Lee, age 83, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 23, 2023, in the comforts of his home surrounded by all his family.
He was born at Panther Fork, WV on December 19, 1939, to the late Ebert Cannon and Emma Luceba (Morrison) Lee. On October 1. 1962, he married the love of his life, Carol Jean (Mealey) Lee, who survives. Also surviving are their one daughter Diana Jean (Lee) Hefner and husband Jerry; one son Timothy Franklin Lee; three grandchildren: Robert James (RJ) Hefner, Alisha Marie Jean (Hefner) Conrad and husband Charles, and Jeremy Lewis Hefner; and seven great grandchildren: Alyssa Marie Hefner, Kendall Morgan Hefner, Meranda Rae Conrad, Ashden Leighann and Lauren Olivia Hefner, Hadley May Hefner, and Denver Glenn Hefner. Also surviving are two sisters: Kathleen Jean (Lee) Mealey and husband Denver and Maxine Alice (Lee) Zabrecky, both of Ohio; two brothers: Doyle Richard Lee and wife Lydia of Ohio and Tommy Leon Lee and wife Brenda of Selbyville; many nieces and nephews that always held a special place in his heart; and a special neighbor Robert McMasters who helped Jim and Carol often.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by six sisters: Virginia Odell Lee, Ireta Luvera Hunt, Loretta Marie Lee, Armeda June Hamm, Lucille Sadie Baker Swast, and Georgia Geraldine Tucker Kovach; and two brothers: Ray Forest Lee and Troy Everett Lee.
Jim and Carol left West Virginia after they were married and moved to Ohio where Jim worked for Douglas Manufacturing until 1969, when they moved back to WV where he worked for Ben Thomas on the New River Gorge Bridge construction and helped construct buildings for Harper Lumber. He later began his own logging business and still continued to participate in sawing lumber until his recent illness. Farming was a passion of his and his farm brought him much joy; he enjoyed raising cattle and horses and loved to brag that his tractors had heat, A/C, and even a radio.
Jim worked hard all his life to enjoy the life the Lord blessed him with. He was a proud child of God, loving the Lord with all his heart. He attended the Rock Cave Baptist Church with Pastor David Jessie, whom he loved very much. His church family and many special friends held special places in his heart. When he passed away, he was at total peace knowing he was going to Heaven to meet his Lord and Savior along with loved ones that had already went on ahead of him. We are sure he is in Heaven jumping for joy. His favorite Bible verse was Psalm 23, and he said the Lord’s Prayer every night. He always had a smile on his face and enjoyed fellowshipping with everyone he met.
He will be sadly missed by his loving family, but he would want us to rejoice and praise the Lord knowing he is in the arms of our Lord and Savior. We loved to listen to his stories about our family coming from England to New York, to Culpepper, VA, then to Stanton, PA, into Ohio in search of land. They found land in Gaines, WV where they settled, purchasing a thousand acres for a thousand dollars.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, from 5-8:00 PM, at the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel. A funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at the funeral chapel with Pastor David Jessie officiating. Interment will follow in the Slab Camp Cemetery.
Online condolences may be extended to the Lee family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The Lee family entrusted the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel with the arrangements.
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