Quillon Curtis Lee, Jr., 86, widower of Mary Frances Geddings Lee, died Monday, December 23, 2019, at his home.
Born January 5, 1933, in Alcolu, he was a son of the late Quillon Cary Lee and the late Eva Thompson Lee. He was a US Army veteran, a retired educator, administrator and headmaster. He was a member of Clarendon Baptist Church. In the Spring of 1972, Mr. Q. Curtis Lee was given the monumental task of becoming the first Headmaster of Laurence Manning Academy. Mr. Lee accepted this assignment with great joy and passion for what he believed would be the defining legacy of his professional career. In those first several years, Mr. Lee worked tirelessly to promote and grow Laurence Manning. From designing the school’s curriculum and building a new facility to raising funds and hiring teachers, Mr. Lee was instrumental in developing Laurence Manning into the outstanding school that we know today. In 1978, Mr. Lee left Laurence Manning to teach at the Sumter Clemson Extension, known today as USC Sumter. During the time that Mr. Lee taught at the collegiate level to his multiple stints of teaching at Laurence Manning, Mr. Lee impacted the lives of countless young people both as an instructor and as a friend. Mr. Lee loved teaching and being around young people. He often talked about how proud he was of his former students as he watched them grow into outstanding citizens and productive members of the community. A man of great passion for education and family, Mr. Lee has left an indelible footprint on the lives of multiple generations of young people in the Clarendon and Sumter Communities.
He is survived by his children, Gary Lee (Kathy), Debbie Tucker (Bob), Mike Lee (Gwen), Tony Lee (DeAnna) and Julie McCrea (Hank), all of Manning; sixteen grandchildren; twenty two great grandchildren; two brothers, Steve Lee and Ronnie Lee (Mellie), both of Manning; and a sister, Barbara Jean Lee Jackson.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Cary Michael Lee, Jr.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 27, 2019, at Clarendon Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike DeCosta officiating.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 26, 2019, at Stephens Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Clarendon Baptist Church, P.O. Box 307, Alcolu, SC 29001 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org
