Robert Earle Lee

Robert(Bobby) Earle Lee
Dateline: Landrum, SC

June 14, 1935-December 29, 2016
Robert was born in Tryon, NC to the late Joseph and Frances King Lee. He passed away at the Smith-Phayer Hospice House in Landrum, SC.  Robert served on this Hospice board when it was being built.   He was raised with his seven siblings on the family dairy farm in Landrum, SC.  He was the husband of Janey Wright Lee for 52 years.  He graduated in 1953 from Landrum High School and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Furman University in 1957.  He returned to take over the dairy farm operation after his father retired in 1962, a dairy farm that began in 1939.  He ran the dairy until his health declined and Alzheimer's disease began to limit his ability to perform the tasks. 

He was an active member of First Baptist Church Landrum where he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher and on various committees.  He was a devoted Christian and read the Bible through several times. 

He served on the School Board of District One in Spartanburg County for twelve years.  His favorite part of that time was the opportunity to visit the schools and spending time with the teachers and students.

He was an avid supporter of the Landrum Cardinals and Furman Paladin athletics.  He played basketball for Landrum High School and was inducted into the Landrum High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

Surviving are three children and their spouses, Robin and Mike Howell of Boiling Springs, SC, Barry and Amy Lee of Irmo, SC and Gordon and Sheila Lee of Landrum, SC.  Also surviving are grandsons Graham, Andrew, and Ryan Lee of Irmo, SC.  Grandson Grayson Lee and granddaughter Kennedi Lee of Landrum, SC.  Step-Grandsons Matthew, Chris and Alex Howell of Boiling Springs, SC.  One brother Ernest Lee(Sue) of Greensboro, NC, and two sisters Sara Frances Stokes(Arnold) of Huntsville, Alabama and Elizabeth Beazley(Jim) of Martinez, Georgia. 

He was predeceased by brothers Donald Lee and Joseph Lee III and sisters Harriet Gibson and Mary Cheek. 
Thank you to the caregivers at Summit Hills, Dillon Pointe, Rosecrest and Magnolia Manor for his care over the past 6 years. 

The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00pm Sunday, January 1, 2017  at Petty Funeral Home in Landrum, SC.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm, January 2, 2017 Landrum First Baptist Church  conducted by Rev. Mark Bishop and Rev. Jerry Long.   Burial will be at Landrum Cemetery.  The family is at the home.

Contributions may be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering or the Family Life Center Fund at Landrum First Baptist Church, 300 East Rutherford Street, Landrum, South Carolina.

 Service Information