Hilmore Lee

Hilmore Lee, 87 passed on January 2, 2022. Even though his untimely death took him away from his loved ones, he will always be remembered for his gregarious personality and kindness to all who crossed his path.

He was the youngest of 9 children and last surviving child of Alice (Brewer) and Isaac Lee of Springfield, Arkansas. Hilmore is predeceased by his parents, Alice and Isaac, sisters Mary and Marie (Criswell) and brothers; O.C., Robert, Clenzo, J.T., Homer, and Wilmore. He survived his twin brother Wilmore who died in March 1935 a day after celebrating his first birthday.

He leaves to mourn his wife Joyce Ann Foster of Georgia, children Michael of Wisconsin and Carla of Georgia, brother-in-law, Albert Courtland of South Carolina, sister-in-law Ersalene Lee of Ohio as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins who live throughout the US.

He migrated to Cleveland, Ohio from Arkansas at the age of 15 to live initially with his oldest brother, O.C. and later with his Aunt and Uncle Leona and Curtis Beauregard and his brother, Homer. It was in Cleveland where he met Joyce Ann Foster; his wife of 66 years.

Hilmore joined the US Navy in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1962. After the Navy he held several jobs throughout his life, but the most notable were the Cleveland Psychiatric Institute (CPI), H.N. White Company and TRW which was sold to Argo Tech. He was an alumni of East Technical High School. After graduation he received a certification from Max Hayes Technical School which was a catalyst to his 33 year career as a Journeyman at TRW and Argo Tech. In 1975 Hilmore received an Associate of Arts Degree from Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio.

He was a family man, an avid gardener and an animal lover. He enjoyed playing billiards and bid whist card games with competitors. He loved walking and shooting the breeze with friends and strangers alike. He and his wife relocated to Roswell Georgia in 2017 to be near family in his golden years.

He will be missed but not forgotten.

Hilmore Lee’s final resting place is the Veterans Administration National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia and a Celebration of his Life is being planned for Late Spring or Early Summer of 2022 in Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Hilmore's memory may be made to Tri-C Community College.

Contributions can be made online at Tri-C Community College's donation page https://www.tri-c.edu/give/donate-online.html. Under the Designation section, there is a drop-down menu, and Hilmore Lee's is the second item on the list.

Gifts we receive will be directed to the Frances Franklin Memorial Scholarship Fund, which you can read about here: https://www.tri-c.edu/student-life/black-american-council/Frances-M-Franklin.html