Charles Taft Lee, age 81, of Alma passed away Monday, December 30th at St. Vincent's Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida after an extended illness. He was a native of Bacon County, son of the late Daniel Taft Lee and Edna Spell Lee, preceded in death by a brother, Lamar "Bo" Lee, sister, Jo Ann Lee Anderson and brother-in law, Ronald Tanner. Charles was employed with D.L. Lee & Sons for 20 years before joining his father and family members in the operation of Taft Lee Abattoir until his retirement in 1997. He was an avid fan of local baseball and enjoyed hunting and fishing and sharing good times around the kitchen table with his family and friends! He attended New Vision Church.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Leona Johnson Lee, son, Charles Michael Lee (Debbie) of Alma, two daughters, Mary Crace (AL) of Folkston, Ga., and Marsha Starling (Perry) of Alma; 7 grandchildren Jay & Morgan Crace, Travis Lee, Brooke, Baylee, Blake and Brody Starling; 7 great-grandchildren. Also 3 brothers, Billy Lee, Pete Lee (Vivian) and Troy Lee (Sybil) of Alma and two sisters, Margie Jones (Perry) of Hoboken and Patricia Tanner of Alma.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 2nd at 11:00 AM at New Vision Church with Rev. Pet Hayes, Rev. Travis Lee officiating and Eulogy given by; Al Crace. The body will be carried to the church at 10:00 AM to lie state. Interment will follow in Pine Lawn Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends Wednesday, Jan. 1st at the funeral home from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Active pallbearers will be; Tommy Lee, Raymond Jones, Richard Lee, Jeffery, Joey & Jerald Anderson. Honorary pallbearers will be; Mr.& Mrs. Quitman Allen, Dr. & Mrs. Charles Bagley, Mr. & Mrs. Larry Barnes, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Boatright, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Boatright, Lawrence Bennett, Bennie Nell Coley, Mr. & Mrs. Pete Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Lee, Lonnie Mercer, Mr. & Mrs. Junior Overstreet, Mr. & Mrs. Lamar Rozier, Mr. & Mrs. Glover Scott, Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Swain, Joann Sweat, Mac Thompson, Foster White and Jay Williams.

Crosby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.