Jerry Speed Lee

Jerry Speed Lee, 74, of Madison, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on June 20, 2021. He grew up in Carthage, MS, where he was an Eagle Scout, a delegate to Boy’s State, recipient of the American Legion Citizenship Award, Valedictorian of his senior class, voted Most Likely to Succeed, voted Most Intellectual, and was quarterback of the football team.

He attended Mississippi State University on academic scholarship and received a B.S. degree in accounting. While at MSU, Jerry was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, Philo Demos, Blue Key, and Omicron Delta Kappa. He served as secretary, rush chairman, pledge master, and president of Pi Kappa Alpha and was MSU’s national inter-fraternity council representative. He also served as Parliamentarian of the Student Senate, a member of the Judiciary Council, and was named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Jerry was in the National Guard and was named as the outstanding trainee of his basic training company at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. A CPA, he worked twenty-eight years with KPMG Peat Marwick in Jackson, Mississippi, where he was partner in charge of the tax practice. He then served as CEO of Southern Lumber Company until his retirement.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church Jackson where he served as Chairman of the Deacons and taught Sunday School for many years. Jerry was a Trustee and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Baptist Sunday School Board. He was also President of the Rotary Club of Jackson, a delegate to Leadership Mississippi, Chairman of the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy, President of the Estate Planning Council of Mississippi, and Chairman of the Mississippi Tax Institute. Jerry was a board member of the Andrew Jackson Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Community Bancshares of Mississippi, Mississippi Children’s Home Society, Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association, and Southern Forest Products Association.

Jerry was an avid golfer and was delighted to make a hole-in-one at Annandale Golf Course in 2007. He loved spending time with his family and keeping up with his grandchildren’s activities.

Jerry bravely battled cancer, first in his twenties, and numerous times throughout his life. He never wavered in keeping his faith and trusting God. He loved life and lived it to the absolute fullest. He wanted everyone to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord and experience abundant life as he did.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mildred Lee, and his twin sister, Jan Arnold. He is survived by his college sweetheart and wife of 53 years, Nancy Dearman Lee. He is also survived by his daughters, Kristy Sanders (Dr. Michael), Jennifer Lowe (Mike), and five grandchildren, Ashley, Philip, and Nancy Lee Sanders, and Michael and Mary Elise Lowe. Also surviving him are his brother, Dr. John Paul Lee (Boo), and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Jackson with designation to the Lottie Moon Offering for international missions. You may give online at firstbaptistjackson.org or send to First Baptist Church Jackson, P.O. Box 250, Jackson, MS 39205.

There will be a private family service at Parkway Funeral Home.

Some of his favorite scriptures were Romans 8:28, Galatians 2:20, and Isaiah 40:31. We give God all the glory for Jerry’s rich and full life.