Lesslie Watkins Lee

He was born August 28, 1926 in Nashville, TN to Louise Watkins and Chester H. Lee. He was predeceased by his sister, Grace Lee Guthrie and his wife, of 60 years, Virginia Pate Lee.

Bud grew up on a farm in Gallatin, TN. He graduated from Sewanee Military Academy and enlisted in the US Army after graduation, serving in the Philippines during World War II. After the war, he attended the University of Missouri, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

In 1949, he married Virginia and they moved to Chattanooga, where he took a job under the GI Bill, in the Service Department of the Cliff-Smith Company. He became a top salesman for the company eventually purchasing the truck dealership and changing the name to Lee-Smith, Inc. He served on various Dealer Councils and industry boards, including: Nationalease, Rockwell International, the American Truck Dealers’ Association and as Chairman of Idealease. During his career he received multiple awards culminating in being named “1989 Truck Dealer of the Year” by Business Week Magazine and the American Truck Dealers’ Association.

Bud served as a Deacon and Elder at Central Presbyterian Church, where he and Virginia were members of the Spencer McCallie Sunday School Class. He was a faithful member of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, a Trustee and was a member of the Becking Sunday School Class.

Bud was active in the community, including: the Downtown Rotary Club, United Way Solicitations Committee, the Board of The Salvation Army and a Founding Board Member of First American Bank.

Bud enjoyed the outdoors. He was an active hunter and avid golfer. He belonged to CG&CC where he served on the Board of Directors. He was also a member of SMG&CC and The Honors Course, where he was on the Organizing Committee that hosted the 91st US Amateur.

Bud and his wife Virginia were always active in their church and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. They loved to travel and made lifelong friends wherever they went. After Faith and Family, Golf was Bud’s passion. Bud was always known as the epitome of a “Southern Gentleman”.

Bud is survived by:

Daughter: Patricia Lee Martin (husband David) Chattanooga

Son: Less Lee (wife Cindy) Chattanooga

Grandchildren:

Virginia P. Martin – Washington, DC

Stephen H. Martin (wife Julia) Chattanooga

Taylor Lee Vinson (husband Ross) Mobile, AL

Sarah Lee Bowman (husband Swayze) Memphis, TN

Carver E. Lee – Amherst, MA

Great Grandchildren:

Dylan W. Martin

M. Pate Vinson

Nieces:

Lesslie Keller – San Diego, CA

Lee Guthrie – River Forest, IL

Louise Hunt – Memphis, TN

The family wishes to thank the staff of Alexian Valley Residence for their loving care and support and hospice nurse, Betty Blevins.

The family will have a private service at the National Cemetery. A celebration service of Bud’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 16 at 2:30 PM at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow in Dudley Hall.

Memorial donations in Bud’s name, may be made to:

Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church – 612 James Blvd, Signal Mt, TN 37377

The Alzheimer’s Association – 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37421.The Salvation Army P.O. Box 3359, Chattanooga, TN 37404 Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com