Varnell E. Lee, Jr.

Varnell E. Lee Jr. passed away late in the evening of April 28, 2014 at McGehee Hospital. Varnell was 95. He was born in Winchester, Ark. on October 29, 1918 to the late Varnell E. Lee Sr. and Bertha Chapman Lee. Varnell was the grandson of Desha County pioneer Dan G. Lee. Varnell was preceded in death by his wife Katherine McAfee Lee. He was a devoted husband and father of four sons and a daughter. Varnell left McGehee when the Missouri Pacific RR round house was closed in the 1950's. After living in Louisiana and Mississippi, Varnell returned to McGehee where he owned and operated the Desha Tile Company for decades. He was active in the First Methodist Church and served on the board of directors. Varnell was Past Master of the Desha Masonic Lodge 643 and was a 32nd degree Mason. Varnell is survived by his children, Varnell M. Lee and his wife Sarah of Pittsboro, N.C.; Dan Lee and his wife Terri of Arkansas City, Ark.; Sharon Towles of Parkin, Ark.; Charles H. Lee and his wife Linda of Watson, Ark.; Christopher Lee and his wife Dwana of McGehee, Ark. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2014 at the Griffin Culpepper Funeral Service in McGehee, Ark. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3 at First United Methodist Church of McGehee, Ark. with Rev. Joe Head and Rev. Kenny Shaw officiating. Burial to follow at Tillar Cemetery. Pallbearers are Allen Evans, Frank Evans, Lloyd Evans, Keith Lee, Jay Hardin, and David Binns. On-line guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com.