MR. JAMES EDWARD LEE

Mr. James E. Lee as he "Paused, Part, Punched" his name to the Winning Futures family will be greatly missed. He always greeted me with a hug and a kiss and always so dapper. His leadership in Winning Futures and in his community is testament to the type of man he was. He was charismatic and exuberant and his loss is a devastating one.

I will remember the day when he got his Cadillac! He drove it on the lot of the high school and gave me a tour of his new car. I don't think I have ever been that excited as an adult about anything. I can only hope to continue his legacy of giving back and passion for the little things.

I will miss you my friend.

To Mr. Lee's son and grandson - he talked about you both all the time. I think some of his most happiest memories was spending time with you these past few years and rekindling your relationship. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

~Stephanie DuRussel, Winning Futures Mentor

I only met James this year through the Winning Futures program but had the pleasure of sitting at a table with him during a Winning Futures Mentor meeting and meal. He shared his wisdom and experience in the program but also provided sound advice to me as the first-year mentor to stay engaged with them. I could tell after observing his interaction with his students in sessions, that he was fully invested in the program and had intently developed relationships with them. We talked a little basketball as well and had a couple more engagements that always left me with the feeling of a father-figure. Even though it was momentary he was impactful in the little interactions we had and I am thankful for that, there is a respect and admiration that I encountered with him.

God bless and prayers to the Lee family and his extended family and close friends. May the peace and comfort be with you during this time.

Sincerely
Davaughnu Banks

I was very fortunate to work with James for several years through Winning Futures. James always came in with a smile on his face and positive words to say about everything and everyone. Most days he would come early which gave us all time to talk outside of classroom sessions. I learned a lot about James through this time and it made me realize even more how involved he was with students and the community outside of Winning Futures. He was a wonderful person with a great heart. He will be truly missed.

James E. Lee was an amazing man. He served as a mentor with Winning Futures for 6 years and impacted the lives of so many young people. He was the kind of volunteer who went above and beyond for his kids and to support our organization. I will miss his presence in our classrooms. He was truly one of a kind and was loved by all of us.

I hated that the pandemic crisis was what parted us from one another. I was angry with God for taking you away from me, but I know you’re in a better place now. I remember meeting you for the first time, knowing you as Bro. James Lee, my vacation bible school teacher. Over that short week, we began a bond that I never expected. We had so many things in common and for the first time in a while, I had felt that I met someone who fully understood me. Over 3 short years, you became more than just my vacation bible school teacher. You became a mentor to me, a teacher, a motivator, a friend. You were one of the few men on this Earth that I respected, and for my parents to hold that same respect for you speaks so many volumes. You were one of the few people in this world that I could talk about my mental health with, without being judged or being called weak or soft. All the phone calls, all the times we went out to breakfast, all the times we coached the church basketball team together, it meant so much to me knowing that there was a man in my life whose relationship with me didn’t stem from my father. I remember the day I was surprised at church when you were installed as Deacon James Lee. I’ll miss you, but I’ll never forget how amazing of a person you were. You loved youth and were always looking to help others. You were one of the most optimistic and kind people I’ve ever met, but you were also real. You had no problem telling others the truth, and it always stood out to me. Whether as a vacation bible school teacher, a deacon, a basketball coach, a counselor in teen ministry, a church greeter, a mentor, or a friend, you were always there for me from the moment we met, and I’ll never forget that.

Rest in Paradise Deacon James Edward Lee.
Gone, but Never Forgotten. 💔🦅

Deacon James Lee was a proud deacon, greeter and counselor to our youth. He was so full of joy, optimism, an encouragement. i served as a counselor with him on Macedonia Baptist Church's Teen Council . He poured a lot of himself into our youth, even my own son. Thank you for your patience and the seeds you planted in our youth. Your legacy will live on because those seeds will sprout and grow. Deacon James Lee will be missed.