Rev. Julius Doner Lee Sr.

Rev. Julius Doner Lee passed away September 26, 2007 at Windsor Point Assisted Living Home in Fuquay-Varina. Rev. Lee was born October 2, 1920 in Harris Neck GA, the eight child of Robert Edward and Caro Marshall Wellons Lee, who preceded him in death. His family was originally from the Dunn/Falcon area, but his father had moved the family to south Georgia to tend a large farm owned by another family member. Shortly after his birth, the family moved back to Falcon and lived there on a farm. Rev. Lee attended school in Falcon and graduated in 1938. His future wife, Eva Louine Cooper also lived in Falcon and attended school There. He left Falcon soon after graduating and went to Toccoa GA, where his brother, Bill was reporting back to the family that there were jobs available at New R.G. LeTourneau plant. Several members of the family moved there to work in the plant. The Lee Brothers Quartet, of which he was a member and sang lead, was soon singing on the radio and traveling with R.G. LeTorneau. Music continued to be an important asset and joy throughout his life. World War II began and he volunteered into the army. He ended up in Fresno, CA at March Field. He received a medical discharge and went back home to his wife and a newly born son.
In 1950 Rev. Lee felt a definite call to full-time ministry and went to Holmes Bible College in Greenville, SC, graduating in three years and coming back to North Carolina to begin his ministry. He pastored at Thunder Swamp (Mt. Olive), Emmanuel (Raleigh), and The Gospel Tabernacle (Dunn) before being elected as Superintendent of the North Carolina Conference of The Pentecostal Holiness Church in 1965. He served in that position until his retirement in 1986. During that time he traveled extensively and served on numerous Boards and Committees. Among those where the World Missions Board, Chairman of the General Loan Fund, Chairman of the Church Institutions Board, and Chairman of the Eastern Board of Education. He also served on the General Executive Board, the highest governing body of the denomination, for 12 years. After his retirement, he returned to the Thunder Swamp Church to pastor for another three years.
After retirement, he could be seen almost daily in Dunn as he made his schedule of going to the hospital, Roy's Restaurant, meeting someone for counseling, or just talking with one of his many friends he met along the way. He was greatly respected by all who knew him, and his positive influence is immeasurable. He lived what he preached and ministered as much out of the pulpit as in the pulpit. He did all he could do to leave the world a better place, and he succeeded. In 2002 he and his wife moved to Windsor Point Assisted Living Home in Fuquay-Varina. They were both in declining health and could no longer live alone without assistance.
Rev. Lee is survived by two sons, Julius Doner "Don" Lee, Jr. and wife, Joan, Stanley Cooper Lee and wife, Elaine, all of Raleigh; four grandchildren, Sherry Lee Faw and husband, Todd of Fuquay-Varina, Christopher Shawn Lee and wife, Ashley of Dacula, GA, Grayson Stanley Lee and wife, Shannon of Southport, NC, Heather Lee Long and husband, Luke of Clayton; 10 great- grandchildren. He also has a surviving sister, Mildred Helen Lee Carroll.
Rev. Lee is predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Eva Louine Cooper Lee; his parents and brothers, Robert Frederick "Fred" Lee, Hobart Wellons Lee, James Allison "Doc" Lee, John Henry Lee, Raymond Lee (infant), William Bryant "Bill" Lee, Joseph "Joe" King Lee; sister, Carolyn Frinstrom Lee Rozier.
The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, September 28, 2007 at Cromartie-Miller and Lee Funeral Home in Dunn. The memorial service will be in Falcon, NC at the J.A. Culbreth Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, 2007.
in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Archives Department of the NC Conference of the Pentecostal Holiness Church or the Retired Ministers Special Assistance Fund. Both may be sent to NC Conference PH Church, P.O. Box 59, Falcon NC 28342.
Condolences or remembrances of Rev. Lee may be e-mailed to:jleeraleighbellsouth.net