Charles Lee

LEE, Jr., Charles Paul

March 13, 1934 -

January 21, 2026

Charles Paul Lee, Jr., age 91, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, at Emory University Hospital Hospice Unit in Atlanta, Georgia.

He was born March 13, 1934, in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of the late Ola Mae "Billie" Mashburn and Charles Paul Lee, Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Marilyn Lucille Mauldin Lee, of Decatur; their son, Charles Milton Lee, of Decatur; their daughter, Linda Marilyn Lee Duckett and son-in-law, Andrew Larry Duckett, of Stone Mountain; grandson, Michael Andrew Duckett and granddaughter-in-law, Rebecca Marie Duckett, of Athens, Georgia.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Lorene Lee Barron; his sister's husband, Gerald Barron; and his brother-in-law, James Milton Mauldin, Jr.

Charles is remembered by his nieces, nephews and many other family and friends who will sadly miss him.

Charles grew up in the Grove Park, English Avenue, and Center Hill Communities in Northwest Atlanta. He attended West Fulton High School where he served in the Army ROTC for 5 years. Following his graduation from West Fulton High School in 1952, he enlisted and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was an aircraft mechanic and served on the USS Randolph (CV-15) and the USS Wasp (CV-18) aircraft carriers. Following his military service, he married Marilyn Lucille Mauldin Lee on July 31, 1954. Marilyn and Charles met at West Fulton High School. They lived in Brookhaven and later moved to North Druid Hills where they raised their family.

Charles worked at General Motors Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac Assembly Plant in Doraville, GA, where he was office manager of the scheduling department. While working at General Motors, he attended DeKalb Community College in the mid-1960's and studied computer science. He took early retirement after 37 years of service. Following retirement, he was appointed to and served on the DeKalb County Board of Equalization. Charles had a second career beginning in 2002 at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead where he was recognized as Employee of the Year in 2009. He retired after 16 years of service in 2018 at the age of 84.

Marilyn and Charles were members of Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, in Decatur, and later Clairmont Presbyterian Church, in Atlanta.

Above all, he was a Christian, a beloved son, husband, father, and grandfather.

There will be a private family burial at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia.