August Lee Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Higgins Funeral Home of Benton, LLC. on Dec. 14, 2025.
August Lee, of Reliance, passed away on December 12, 2025.
The world lost a bit of its shine on December 12, 2025, with the passing of August Lee, a remarkable soul whose spirit seemed untouchable and whose kindness knew no limits. August was born August 5th, 1935, in Reliance, Tennessee. Though his name was known differently to each person he met-dad, papaw Auggie, friend, helper, hero, even stranger-his impact was unmistakably universal.
August was the son of Wilford and Bertha Morgan Lee. August was married to the love of his life, Melba Lee, for 65 years. Together they share four children Donna Carroll (Duce Carroll), Kay Lee, Amy Wood (Donnie Wood) and Audrey Lee. They share seven grandchildren Travis Carroll (Megan Carroll), Barry Carroll (Sarah Carroll), Alicia Goforth (Matt Goforth), Jennifer Ray (Matt Ray), Rachel Akins (James Akins), Christopher Standridge, Zoe McNaught (Kevin McNaught). August enjoyed watching his 12 great-grandchildren Kennedy Goforth, Luke Carroll, Lane Carroll, Cooper Goforth, Brady Carroll, Sadie Carroll, Maddox Ray, Cora Goforth, Charlotte Akins, Mason Ray, Campbell Akins and Margaret McNaught. One of August's greatest joys in life was the family he and Melba created together during their marriage.
August was a proud veteran of the Army National Guard. He was the owner and operator of East Tennessee Plating. During his time as owner and operator of East Tennessee Plating, August developed a technique extending the life of batteries for Duracell.
August is preceded in death by his parents. Wilford and Bertha Lee, and siblings Marcella Green, Eula Mae Merrell, Clara Nell Webb, Polly Hall, Rufus Lee, Randy Lee and his father-in-law Freeman Smith and mother-in-law Lanie Smith. He has two living siblings, Frank Lee and Willene Ervin.
Born with a heart far larger than his own needs, August carried joy the way others carry breath-naturally and without effort. He greeted every day with a smile that could steady storms and lift even the heaviest worries from those around him. His laughter was the kind that wrapped around people like sunlight, warming places they didn't know were cold.
What made him truly invincible was not strength, nor fearlessness, nor any mythic ability, but the simple, unwavering belief that people deserved goodness. If you needed help, he gave without hesitation. If you needed hope, he shared his own. If you needed a reason to keep going, he gave you one. To hear his family talk about him, you would think he stood ten feet tall.
Though he has left this world, his legacy remains stitched into the lives he touched-into the smiles he sparked, the burdens he lifted, and the countless moments of kindness he brought forth. He leaves behind a community forever changed, forever grateful, and forever inspired. His grandchildren would describe him as tough, fearless, selfless, adventurous, prankster, loving, and invincible. All their lives have been shaped by the lessons he taught and the values he instilled in his family.
He found great joy in the simple routines of life, especially in caring for the deer that visited his home. Feeding them was more than a pastime-it was a daily ritual that reflected his patience, generosity and deep appreciation for nature. Watching them gather brought him great happiness.
May his memory and life lessons continue to guide us. May his joy echo in our days. And may we honor him not with sorrow, but by giving-happily, freely and wholeheartedly just as he always did.
Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home, with Pastor Don Padget officiating.
A graveside committal service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Morgan Cemetery, with Travis Carroll, Barry Carroll, Christopher Standridge, Matt Goforth, Matt Ray, and James Akins serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are great-grandchildren, Lane Carroll, Luke Carroll, Brady Carroll, Cooper Goforth, Maddox Ray.
His family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, at the funeral home prior to the service.
The family wishes to express their genuine appreciation and gratitude to Hearth Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Children's Home of Chattanooga, 6623 Lee Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.higginsfunerals.com.
Higgins Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of arrangements.
The world lost a bit of its shine on December 12, 2025, with the passing of August Lee, a remarkable soul whose spirit seemed untouchable and whose kindness knew no limits. August was born August 5th, 1935, in Reliance, Tennessee. Though his name was known differently to each person he met-dad, papaw Auggie, friend, helper, hero, even stranger-his impact was unmistakably universal.
August was the son of Wilford and Bertha Morgan Lee. August was married to the love of his life, Melba Lee, for 65 years. Together they share four children Donna Carroll (Duce Carroll), Kay Lee, Amy Wood (Donnie Wood) and Audrey Lee. They share seven grandchildren Travis Carroll (Megan Carroll), Barry Carroll (Sarah Carroll), Alicia Goforth (Matt Goforth), Jennifer Ray (Matt Ray), Rachel Akins (James Akins), Christopher Standridge, Zoe McNaught (Kevin McNaught). August enjoyed watching his 12 great-grandchildren Kennedy Goforth, Luke Carroll, Lane Carroll, Cooper Goforth, Brady Carroll, Sadie Carroll, Maddox Ray, Cora Goforth, Charlotte Akins, Mason Ray, Campbell Akins and Margaret McNaught. One of August's greatest joys in life was the family he and Melba created together during their marriage.
August was a proud veteran of the Army National Guard. He was the owner and operator of East Tennessee Plating. During his time as owner and operator of East Tennessee Plating, August developed a technique extending the life of batteries for Duracell.
August is preceded in death by his parents. Wilford and Bertha Lee, and siblings Marcella Green, Eula Mae Merrell, Clara Nell Webb, Polly Hall, Rufus Lee, Randy Lee and his father-in-law Freeman Smith and mother-in-law Lanie Smith. He has two living siblings, Frank Lee and Willene Ervin.
Born with a heart far larger than his own needs, August carried joy the way others carry breath-naturally and without effort. He greeted every day with a smile that could steady storms and lift even the heaviest worries from those around him. His laughter was the kind that wrapped around people like sunlight, warming places they didn't know were cold.
What made him truly invincible was not strength, nor fearlessness, nor any mythic ability, but the simple, unwavering belief that people deserved goodness. If you needed help, he gave without hesitation. If you needed hope, he shared his own. If you needed a reason to keep going, he gave you one. To hear his family talk about him, you would think he stood ten feet tall.
Though he has left this world, his legacy remains stitched into the lives he touched-into the smiles he sparked, the burdens he lifted, and the countless moments of kindness he brought forth. He leaves behind a community forever changed, forever grateful, and forever inspired. His grandchildren would describe him as tough, fearless, selfless, adventurous, prankster, loving, and invincible. All their lives have been shaped by the lessons he taught and the values he instilled in his family.
He found great joy in the simple routines of life, especially in caring for the deer that visited his home. Feeding them was more than a pastime-it was a daily ritual that reflected his patience, generosity and deep appreciation for nature. Watching them gather brought him great happiness.
May his memory and life lessons continue to guide us. May his joy echo in our days. And may we honor him not with sorrow, but by giving-happily, freely and wholeheartedly just as he always did.
Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home, with Pastor Don Padget officiating.
A graveside committal service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Morgan Cemetery, with Travis Carroll, Barry Carroll, Christopher Standridge, Matt Goforth, Matt Ray, and James Akins serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are great-grandchildren, Lane Carroll, Luke Carroll, Brady Carroll, Cooper Goforth, Maddox Ray.
His family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, at the funeral home prior to the service.
The family wishes to express their genuine appreciation and gratitude to Hearth Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Children's Home of Chattanooga, 6623 Lee Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.higginsfunerals.com.
Higgins Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Pam Glover
December 16, 2025
I am so sorry to hear about August. He was a great man.
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