Thomas Franklin Lee

Thomas Franklin “Frank” Lee (92) of Jacksonville, FL passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025, at Community Hospice of NE Florida after a brief illness.

Frank was born August 16, 1932, in Poplarville, MS to John Edwin Lee and Lida Mae Smith Lee. He grew up with his siblings Ed, Virginia, David, and Bob. He attended Poplarville High School where he was active in sports and became an Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America. After graduation, he followed his older brother, Ed, and enrolled at Mississippi State University. He joined the Kappa Alpha fraternity and the Army ROTC program. He graduated with a Civil Engineering degree, was commissioned a Lieutenant in the US Army, and was stationed in Germany for 2 years.

After separating from the military, he began his distinguished career with International Paper Company in Moss Point, MS. During his early career in Moss Point, he married the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Margaret Ann Fletcher, and together they raised their family of four children. He worked in various capacities with IP and was transferred frequently with stents in Vicksburg, MS, Spring Hill, LA, Wilton, CT, and served as General Manager in Statesville, NC, Camden, AR, and Moss Point, MS. In each place they lived, they were active in their church and communities. After 25 years, Frank retired from IP and continued his work in the paper industry in Savannah, GA and Jacksonville, FL where he permanently retired and resided for 38 years.

Throughout his life, Frank enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening, cooking (especially fried chicken), attending bluegrass music festivals, but he was most passionate about finding treasures at estate sales. He loved the Mississippi State Bulldogs, especially the Diamond Dogs, and frequently attended the SEC Baseball Tournament in Hoover, AL with his brothers. Frank had a very gregarious personality, loved life, and loved the Lord. He looked forward to meeting each week with his Tuesday morning prayer breakfast friends and his Friday Bible study lunch group. He was generous with his time and talents and always loved telling a good joke.

There were not many things Frank didn’t know about or how to fix, and he was always willing to help both friends and neighbors alike. For years, he was involved in the Kairos Prison Ministry evangelizing to inmates in the state of Florida. He was also involved in the Salvation Army of Northeast Florida, serving on its Board of Directors and volunteering during the holidays as a bellringer. He was a longtime member of All Souls Anglican Church in Jacksonville, FL. Frank truly had a servant heart and will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Frank is survived by his wife of three years, Carol Cordi Lee of Jacksonville; his younger brother, Bob Lee (Freddie) of Fayetteville, AR; four children: Tom Lee (Pam) of Pawley’s Island, SC; Emily Lee Holman (Kevin) of Tupelo, MS; Fletcher Lee of Jacksonville; and John Lee (Julie) of Jacksonville; eight grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant son, Christopher Lee; siblings: Ed Lee, David Lee, Virginia Lee Wells, his wife, Margaret Ann Fletcher Lee; and his granddaughter Catherine Holman Thornton.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 1:00 pm at All Souls Anglican Church in Jacksonville, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to All Souls Anglican Church, Jacksonville, FL and the Salvation Army of Northeast Florida.