Mr. James Lee was born May 14, 1942 in East St. Louis, IL to the union of Edgar and Rosa Mae Lee, both preceding him in death. He was the oldest of six siblings, five of which preceded him in death.

Mr. Lee was united in holy matrimony to Ella B. Wilson on March 30, 1962 and to this union was blessed with six children with one daughter preceding him in death. He also had one granddaughter to precede him in death.

Mr. Lee attended East St. Louis Lincoln Senior High School receiving his GED after deciding to enter the military his senior year. James served in the U.S. Army from 1962-1968 earning the rank of specialist 4 ^th class. He received two meritorious accommodations and recognition for his heroic efforts during the 1964 Alaskan earthquake. He attended East St. Louis State Community College and received a home landscaping certification from SIUE and had a certification in culinary arts.

In 1985 Mr. Lee was baptized at Pilgrim MB Church by Pastor M. R. Lemons after confessing a hope in Christ but returned to Colas Temple COGIC, his home church in 2002, and later Smyrna Pentecostal Church. He served as deacon and helped in any capacity needed.

Mr. Lee was an avid gardener, until his health failed. He mentored and volunteered in the 4-H urban gardening project and received recognition from Project Hope and the University of Illinois for his community gardening efforts.

Mr. Lee was employed by the Department of Conservation where he enjoyed working at the Grand Maris State Park before being recruited and earning the distinction of being one of the first black campus policemen for Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He retired from School District 189 as the head custodian for Graham Elementary School. His most rewarding part of the job was training special education students in custodial skills.

Mr. Lee leaves to cherish his memory is devoted wife Ella B. Lee; daughters Jametrice Lee (East St. Louis, IL), Jennifer Lee (St. Louis, MO), Jeri and Jacqueline Lee (Belleville, IL), one son James Wesley Lee II (Sharon) (O'Fallon, IL); sixteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren; siblings Unitha Pass, Lethia Bennett, Robert Bennett, Micah Bennett and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.