Cornelius Lee

Cornelius Lee was born Sept. 13, 1954, in Tallahassee, Miss., to John, Sr. and Millie Calmese Lee. He attended school in the Promise Land and Clear Lake communities. Cornelius confessed his hope in Christ on Dec. 10, 2016, he became of member of New Faith Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Laddie Whaley. On March 12, 1999, Cornelius married Denise Cathey.

Cornelius was a true cowboy and loved everything about outdoors which led him to farming. He started driving a tractor at the age of 14 and has farmed for at least 52 years. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, playing horseshoes, gardening, listening to county music and watching western movies. He had a special love for his vehicles, pets, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Lee, Sr.; his mother, Millie Calmese Lee; one sister, Cora Lee; his grandson, Jamion Sims; and a son-in-law, Kent Palmore.

Cornelius leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Denise Lee of Blytheville; one son, Brandon (Tiffany) Johnson of Rector; eight daughters, LaShonya (Eddie) Payne of Carbondale Ill., Sequita (Richard) Carpenter of Blytheville, Deshone (James) Carter of Blytheville, Stephanie Palmore of Blytheville, Tenisa Richardson of Carbondale, Ill., Kristy (Michael) Talley of Sachse, Texas, Krystal Alexander of Blytheville, Tanaisha Ross (Steve, fiance) of Jonesboro; twelve siblings, Bettie Lee Swift of Chicago, Ill., Elnora Thurman of Blytheville, Virginia Lee Fowler of Blytheville, John (Neugeanie) Lee Jr. of Blytheville, Brenda Day (Johnny, fiance) of Blytheville, Tommy Lee of Oklahoma City, Okla., Clifton Lee Sr. of Blytheville, Patricia Lee of Fredericksburg, Vir., Ricky (Phyllis) Lee of Pensacola, Fla., Linda (Melvin) Munden of Virginia Beach, Vir., Stanley (Sonja) Lee of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Danny Lee of Marion; 31 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 29, at 11 until 12:45 at the church.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church, 600 East McHaney Street, Blytheville. Reverend Odale Jones is the pastor. Reverend Laddie Whaley will deliver the eulogy with burial to follow in Whiteside Gardens Cemetery in Osceola.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mhfuneralhomeinc. or visit us on Facebook at McDonald-Horne Funeral Home.

We are requesting that the practice of social distancing and wearing face masks are observed during the visitation and funeral service.

McDonald-Horne Funeral Home is in charge of all services and arrangements.