Maj. Roy Edward Lee, Jr. (August 15th, 1941 – March 16th, 2026)

Major Roy Edward Lee, Jr., 84, of Greensboro, Alabama, passed away on March 16, 2026.

Major Lee was born on August 15, 1941, in Talladega, Alabama, and grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He was a graduate of Tuscaloosa High School, the University of Alabama, and the Naval Flight Officer School, where he earned his Naval Wings of Gold.

Immediately after college, Major Lee married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Cayley, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They met when she was only 15 years old and spent the rest of their lives together. After flight school, Major Lee served with the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines in the vicinity of Da Nang, Viet Nam, and earned the Combat Action Ribbon with the infantry. He also served with VMFA-122 in Chu Lai, Viet Nam, and earned the Air Medal. Major Lee served in numerous other F-4 squadrons before retiring from the military after 20 years of honorable and faithful military service.

After retiring from the military, Major Lee returned to his home state to raise his family of five children. Major Lee earned his Graduate degree in education from the University of Alabama and taught high school history, government, economics, and social studies at Akron High School. Major Lee took great pleasure in this profession as an assistant high school football coach for the Akron Football Rams.

Major Lee was preceded in death by his father, Roy Edward Lee, Sr., his mother, Esther Jane McKenzie Lee, and his sister, Carolyn Lee Morris (Tom). He is survived by his beloved wife, Charlotte Cayley Lee, with whom he shared 61 wonderful years of marriage. He is also survived by his children, Roy Edward Lee III, Gary Patrick Lee, Rebekah Lee Poe (Vaughn), Melissa Jane Lee (Paula), and Thomas Bailey Davis Lee (Leanah). He is also survived by his grandchildren Janét, Kristin Claire, Gary, Jr., Roy, George, Davis, and Julia, as well as his great-grandchildren Emma, Finn, and Jasper.

Major Lee was fond of working on his family's farm as a child in Tuscaloosa and wanted to own his own cattle farm after his military service. While serving as a flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida, Major Lee purchased his 200-acre cattle farm in Sawyerville, Alabama, which he named “Oakbriar” based on the vast number of oak trees and Cherokee roses. After retirement, Major Lee moved his family to Greensboro, Alabama to be close to his land. Major Lee found joy working on his cattle farm in Sawyerville, Alabama. He transformed Oakbriar into a sanctuary for his family. Many good evenings were spent overlooking the hayfields and prairie, walking alongside Limestone Creek, or riding the all-terrain vehicles. His cattle appreciated his generous portions, and he ensured they had plenty of feed and hay during the extreme cold weather. Major Lee enjoyed sitting on his Oakbriar home front porch watching his cattle graze and the hummingbirds buzz around his farmhouse. It seemed as if all the hummingbirds in the county were at his farm drinking the nectar from his feeders. Major Lee loved golden retrievers, and he raised 10 golden retrievers in succession over the years. The only time he was not next to his golden retriever was when he was on his tractor.

Everyone in Hale County referred to Roy as the “Major.” He never judged anyone unfairly. He judged and loved everyone equally, as all were equal in his eyes. Major Lee was the most unselfish man you could possibly meet. Whether it was the love for others, the dinner line, or the desire to cook everyone a southern breakfast, Major Lee always placed everyone else before himself. He always prepared the coffee pot for his children in the evening. All they had to do was turn the pot on and the prefilled water and coffee brewed the pot without anyone’s effort. No one could even wash the dishes before the Major had beaten everyone to the duty.

Major Lee had a passion for fellow Marines and for celebrating the Marine Corps birthday. For many years, Major Lee organized the Black Belt Marines’ Birthday Ball for all local Marines and families to celebrate the birthday for the Marine Corps. These birthday events were a phenomenal experience for all attendees.

Major Lee was a huge fan of Alabama football. In 1989, Major Lee began purchasing two season tickets to Alabama's home football games. The next year, Major Lee increased the purchase to four home tickets. For years, the Lee family traveled to the Alabama home games and cheered on the Crimson Tide to victory.

The Major loved all genres of classical music. Whether it was Mozart, Beethoven, or Andre Rieu, Major Lee had all the compact discs for everyone to enjoy. His family played classical music for him during his final moments on earth.

Major Lee will forever rest in peace. His family, his community, and all who had the distinct pleasure of meeting him will miss him. All enjoyed his sense of humor, his wit, and his one-liners. His genuine love for his family is a north star for all of us. A graveside service will be held at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama, on Tuesday, March 24th at 11:45 AM. The family will receive friends during the funeral service. Following the service, the Lee family invites all friends to a celebration of life. The Lee Family will provide details following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to the Friends of Hale County Animal Shelter (P.O. Box 312; Greensboro, AL 36744) or to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org).