Robert Lee

Robert E. Lee, the son of the late Albert Hardin "Hardy" and Mary Etta Stallings Lee, was born in Pollard, Arkansas on March 5, 1934, and passed away at his home near Dudley, Missouri on December 21, 2009, at the age of 75 years, 9 months and 16 days. Mr. Lee graduated from Puxico High School and entered the U. S. Air Force in March of 1953. He attended and graduated from Electronics School, Non-commissioned Officers' School, and Officers' Candidate School and received his regular commission. He retired in March, 1973, at the rank of Major. He had lived in various states in the U.S. and countries in Europe and Asia. He moved back to Puxico in 1972. On October 16, 1954, he married Patty Lovenia Mattingly of Dudley. They celebrated their 55th Anniversary in 2009. Robert pursued many activities in his lifetime; fishing, bowling, softball, golfing, card playing, traveling and was a fan of horse racing. He was an avid reader and enjoyed Agatha Christie films. He received his B. S. from Southeast Missouri State University, in Political Science with a minor in History, in December 1983. He committed his life to Jesus Christ in June of 2009. He was a member of the Puxico United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Puxico V.F.W. Post 7822, the American Legion, and a member of the SEMO Sr. Golf Association. His hobbies included golf, fishing, reading and gardening. Surviving are wife, Patty Lovenia Lee of Dudley, Missouri; one daughter, Nancy Jones and husband, Delbert of Dudley, Missouri; one son, Robert E. Lee, Jr. and wife, Kim of Puxico, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Wendy (Jones) Taylor and husband, Ryan of St. Charles, Missouri, Carrie (Jones) Lizenbee and husband, Michael of Bloomfield, Missouri, Amanda (Lee) Kayser and husband, Charlie of Louisiana, Quincy Jones and wife, Ashley of Dudley, Missouri, Anthony Lee of Carbondale, Illinois, Zachary Jones of Dudley, Missouri, Amber Lee of Puxico, Missouri; eight great grandchildren, Logan, Lauren, and Landon Lizenbee, Kendon and Kaul Lee, Kevin Taylor, Daniel and Jasmine Jones; three brothers, Albert "Dude" Lee and wife, Blanche of Higginsville, Missouri, Bill Lee and wife, Josephine of Dexter, Missouri, Tom Lee of Orion, Michigan, Earl Lee and wife, Marianne of Pulaski, Tennessee; three sisters, Connie Ivester of Fruitland, Missouri, Susie Patterson of Orion, Michigan, Wilma Nydem of Dandridge, Tennessee; three sisters-in-law, Jean Lee of Killeen, Texas, Juanita Lee of Poplar Bluff, Missouri and Betty Mattingly of Dudley, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Lynn Mattingly and wife, Kay of Dexter, Missouri. He has cousins, nieces, and nephews all over the United States. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim Lee and Pete Lee; one infant brother, Jerry; six brothers-in-law, Jewell Ivester, Jack Patterson, Bill Nydem, Jules Mattingly, Lavell Mattingly and Wiley Mattingly; two sisters-in-law, Phyllis Mattingly, Jean Mattingly, and one nephew, Marty Ivester. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Sunday December 27, 2009, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 28, 2009, at 11:00 AM at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Puxico, Missouri with the Rev. Dennis Doublin of Puxico, Missouri officiating. Interment will follow in the Armstead Dowdy Cemetery near Dexter, Missouri with full Military Honors provided by Missouri Military Honors and the U. S. Air Force. Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Puxico, Missouri in charge of arrangements.