Sgt. Henderson Edward Lee
Baxley Funeral Home announces the passing of SGT. Henderson Edward Lee, 62, who departed this life on Monday, June 23, 2025 in Gainesville Georgia.
A life well-lived is a precious gift of hope, strength, and grace, from someone who has made our world a brighter, better place. It’s filled with moments, sweet and sad with smiles and sometimes tears, with friendships formed and good times shared, and laughter through the years. A life well lived is a legacy, of joy, pride, and pleasure, a living, lasting memory our grateful hearts will forever treasure …
And so it is that our beloved, Sgt. Henderson Edward Lee, a Gulf War U.S. Marine Veteran, transitioned from his earthly labor while at home on the early morning of Monday, June 23, 2025, leaving our eyes filled with tears and our hearts deeply saddened.
Sgt. Lee was born on September 3, 1962 in Baxley, to Hosea H. Lee and Prudence James Roberts. Graduating from high school a year early in 1979, he enlisted in the armed forces the following year (1980) and was assigned to the Marine Corps base in Paris Island, SC. After graduating from special training as a Rifle Sharp Shooter, he was assigned to the Machine Gunner Command and deployed to an undisclosed location at the rank of Private. He would go on to obtain the rank of Sergeant while serving many years as a Marine and was deployed to various countries during his tour of duty. He was discharged with full honors and later served as a consultant in the Marine Corps for several more years. During his military career, he received numerous medals, badges, and ribbons including the Rifle Expert Badge; National Defense Service Medal; Outstanding Pistol Marksmanship Badge; Combat Action Ribbon; Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm Commendation; Navy Achievement Medal and many, many more honorable recognitions.
While Sgt. Lee was a brave and loyal soldier, he was also a patient, caring individual and family man. He sincerely loved his family and often spoke highly of his children to extended family members.
Sgt. Henderson Lee was described by many as virtuoso, a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit. His love of music began at a young age. He became known to many through the sound of his trumpet – he blew it so, so well that some would say that he made it talk. They would later learn that Henderson was self-taught on many instruments since he couldn’t afford to pay for lessons. He was very skillful in playing the piano, saxophone, guitar, trumpet, and drums and served as a mentor to young rising musicians. He spent many years playing for multiple churches and at various events. Brother Lee, as he was affectionately called at church, served faithfully as the Minister of Music at Cornerstone of Faith Ministries in Gainesville, for 18 years. He was a Self-Master Dental & Logistics Technician and served as a Dental Technician for Rainge Family Dental PC for 15 years and as a Logistics Technician for FOCI Corporation for over 8 years. One of Henderson’s favorite sayings was, “It’s a simple fix” and he always made sure things were a simple fix. A well respected employee, Henderson was gainfully employed at American Yahtzee of Gainesville, in 2017 as an Engineering Supervisor and was a valued contributor to the growth of the company.
With his infectious smile, gentle spirit and kind heart, Henderson always save of himself, and was so much fun to be around. ex was known for being a jokester and always got so much pleasure in pulling pranks on family and friends… no one was exempt.
Sgt. Henderson was preceded in death by his beautiful 13-year old daughter, Crystal Lee, who resided in Brooklyn, NY, his dear, loving mother miss Prudence James Roberts of Baxley, and; and his caring grandparents, Mrs. Lula Mae Eason James and Mr. Johnnie James.
Those remaining to cherish enumerable golden memories of him are his wife, Viki Lee of Gainesville; sons Lionel Jervon (Janice) Lee of Lithonia; Gerron Edwin (Victoria T.) Lee of NY, Marquis Smith of Atlanta; daughter Amdrea Wright of Pennsylvania, PA; grandchildren, Lionel Jervon Lee III, Jasyah Lee, Gerron Edwin Lee, Jr., Ta’Ron Edwin Lee, Jashawn Lee, Jasean Edwin Williamson, Ja’Ron Lee, Emmanuel Ellis, Elijah Ellis, and Ty J. Wright; brothersand sisters: Emory Alexander (Lori) Lee of Brunswick, Calvin Matthew Lee of Baxley, Anthony Lorenza Lee of Coral Springs, FL, Dr. Tammye Marie Lee of Evans; uncles: Johnnie (Veronica) James Jr., of Atlanta, and Lee Rayford (Vickie) James of Bonaire, aunts: Earnestine (Hubert) West of Montezuma, Marie Solomon of Baxley and Lovelee Lee of Savannah, along with a plethora of greatly loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Presiding over the service was Pastor Kendall Bennaman and musical selections were rendered by Stephanie Fletcher and the Edwards Family. Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers were nephews and cousins.
Homegoing services for Mr. Lee was held Saturday, June 28, at 11:00 am at Rachel Missionary Baptist Church located at 6704 GA Hwy 144 Baxley, Georgia.
Visitation took place at the church one hour before the service at 10:00 am
The family received friends at 904 Wrights Drive Baxley.
Military honors followed services. The repast was held in Rachel Missionary Baptist Church Social Hall.
Burial took place on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville.
Baxley Funeral home was honored to serve the family of SGT. Henderson Edward Lee.
