Robert Edward Lee

Robert Edward Lee, age 88, McMinnville resident and Putnam County, TN native, was born March 24, 1924 and died November 17, 2012 at Raintree Manor following a brief illness. A United States Army veteran of WWII, he was awarded the Eastern Service Medal with five Bronze Stars while serving in Europe with the Third Army's 10th Infantry Regiment. He served as a McMinnville City Alderman from 1978 to 1986, and represented Warren County on the Regional Solid Waste Board for many years. He was a member of the Rock Island Masonic Lodge #452 for sixty-one years, and was very active in the 10th Infantry Reunion Association. A member of Christ United Methodist Church, he was retired from Lee Excavating Company, which he founded in 1962. He was also a member of McMinnville Chapter #349 Order of Eastern Star for over fifty years. He was the son of the late Sherman and Bernice Bilbrey Lee. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by spouses, Dorothy Dodson Lee and Betty Passons Smith Lee. He was married to his wife of twenty years, Dema Sue Grissom Lee of McMinnville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Russell Hamblen of McMinnville; one son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Becky Lee of McMinnville; three step-daughters, Wanda Smith Vaughan and husband Thomas of McMinnville, Mileah Betschart Sullivan and husband Larry of Loveland, OH and Lorie Betschart of Murfreesboro, TN; one step-son, Michael Betschart and friend Dawn of McMinnville; three granddaughters, April Lee Dove and husband Nathan of Greenville, SC, Leann Hamblen Long and husband Dustin of Morgantown, WV and Megan Hamblen of McMinnville; step-grandchildren, Tera Powell Mooneyham and husband Anthony of McMinnville, Tricia Richardson of McMinnville, Keith Vaughan of McMinnville, Candice Vaughan Phillips and husband Clift of Memphis, TN, Kayla Sullivan of Irvine, CA, John Sullivan of Loveland, OH, Micah Betschart of Murfreesboro, TN, Ann Webb of Murfreesboro, TN, Erica Betschart of Cookeville, TN, Allen Betschart of McMinnville, Michele Hamblen Brandjes of Knoxville, TN, Douglas Hamblen of Albany, GA and Jason Hamblen of Memphis, TN; one brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Eva Lee of McMinnville; two sisters, Mattie Lee Taylor and Judy Lee Cunningham both of Campaign, TN; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Funeral service will be held Monday, November 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in High's Chapel with Lorin Pedigo and Mark Carrigan officiating. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery with full military honors administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Visitation will be held Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service Monday at High's. A Masonic service will be held Sunday at 7:00 p.m. in High's Parlor. Memorial contributions may be made to: Meals on Wheels, Christ United Methodist Church Parking Lot Fund, or Rock Island Masonic Lodge #452 c/o the Widows Benevolent Fund.