Kenneth E. Lee

Kenneth Earl Lee of Sacramento, California passed away peacefully on Monday, January 27th, 2014. Kenneth was born on September 21st, 1926 to Henry Ellis Lee and Sarah Ella Heck in Hawkins County, Tennessee. The baby of nine, he grew up in the eastern hills, going to school and helping tend to the family farm. As a young man, Kenneth joined the United States Air Force. In 1952, while riding a bus, he met his future wife, Wilma Inez Foster (maiden name McDonnell). They were married on September 20th 1954, after a two-year, long distance courtship. Wilma had a son, Jerry, from a previous marriage whom Kenneth loved and cared for as his own. During their marriage, they had two children, Amy and Susan. After living in Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, North Dakota and Japan, he settled with his family in Sacramento, CA. Kenneth enjoyed a long career as an electrician in military civil service. It was during this time that he received recognition awards that he was exceptionally proud of. He became an active member of El Camino Baptist church, where he would remain for the next 33 years. He did everything from teaching Sunday school, to becoming a Deacon, to singing bass in the choir. In addition to church activities, he enjoyed a life-long hobby of gardening. Wilma, his wonderful wife and loving mother to Jerry, Amy and Susan passed away in 2005. It was at this time that he began to attend Carmichael Presbyterian Church. He remained in this congregation up until the time of his passing on January 27th. Kenneth leaves behind his beloved children Jerry Foster and Susan Williamson (husband Sandy Williamson), as well as a sister, Doris Wayne Claypool of Rogersville, TN. He is preceded in death by his parents Henry Ellis Lee and Sarah Ella Heck, daughter Amy Fannin (survived by husband Ron Fannin), siblings Oliver Franklin Lee, Mattie Sue Lee, Henry Ellis Lee Jr., Mary Virginia Lee, Elizabeth Tennessee Lee, Paul Houston Lee and Jacob Daniel Lee. A memorial service for Kenneth E. Lee will be held on Wednesday, February 19th at 1:00 PM at Mount Vernon Memorial Park, 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks CA 95628. Military honors provided by the United States Air Force with interment at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Carmichael Presbyterian Church music department at: 5645 Marconi Ave, Carmichael, CA 95608 or www.carmichaelpres.org.