Richard R. Lee, of Seat Pleasant, Maryland, loving husband and father of four, fell asleep in the Lord, due to natural causes, on August 16, 2020, at the age of 87.
Richard was born on August 16, 1933, in South Boston, Virginia. He received his high school diploma from Halifax Training School (later renamed Mary M. Bethune High School). Richard served in U.S. Army during the Korean War – 47th Infantry (Viking Division), before being honorably discharged in 1955. Eleven days after being discharged, Richard married his beloved sweetheart, Mary Frances. They raised three sons, one daughter, and one grandson.
Richard worked as a Master Tailor prior to entering into Federal service in 1959 with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary. He retired from the Interior Department with a Top Secret security clearance as Chief of the Consolidated Mail Services Division in 1988. Richard was a Deacon in his church during decades of active membership at Pilgrim A.M.E. Church in Washington, D.C. He was also a member of the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons (Prince Hall Affiliation).
Richard was affectionately called “Dedo” (instead of “Dad”) by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their friends. Dedo doted on each of his children and opened the doors of his home to all of his children’s friends. Dedo served as president of the Seat Pleasant Elementary School PTA while his children were in attendance. He actively supported his young sons’ musical interests and provided them with numerous instruments and audio equipment through their late teenage years and enthusiastically served as the manager of their band (Strat-O-Caster Band and Show). Dedo even bought a big white ice cream-like truck to shuttle his sons, their bandmates and friends to gigs all over the D.C. region. Dedo also encouraged his youngest son’s soccer ambitions and talent for photography and his daughter’s passion for dancing. Dedo always attended their events and took his family on trips up and down the East Coast for his daughter’s dance performances and competitions. Of many special events, Dedo and his family would spend one week each summer (for nearly ten years) vacationing in Atlantic City, New Jersey, while his daughter performed on the Steele Pier. Dedo also piled his children, nieces, nephews and neighborhood kids into the white truck to take everyone to the Interior Department’s annual “Field Day” in Fort Hunt, Virginia. Everyone who knew Dedo’s children knew and loved field day – it was the event of the summer. Dedo was an amazing cook (in the Southern tradition) until his body gave out and confined him to a wheelchair during his final two years. He always had something ready on the stove for family and friends, made sure you had a plate, and took home leftovers.
Richard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Frances, and children Richard Kevin (Tiffany), F. Dwayne, Danita Alberico (Richard), and Daryl; brothers John (Ruby), Willie Louis (Ruby), and Howard “Ray” (Rosa Mae); grandchildren Richard Kevin, Jr., Kjuan, Jada, and Jaylen; great-grandchildren, Kevin Eli, Kayla, Khalil, Carson, and Kendall, and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother, Nannie Lee, father, Thomas Jackson, sister, Nannie Watkins, brother, Floyd Lee and cherished grandfather, Edward Lee.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when it is safe for family and friends to gather and embrace one another.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard R. Lee’s honor to:
South Boston – Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History, Post Office Box 383,
South Boston, Virginia 24592.
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