Rev. Charles E. Lee, 96 of Huntsville, passed away on January 4, 2024.

He is survived by his son, Ronald W. Lee of Oak Ridge, TN; and eight grandchildren: Adrienne Williams and Gabrielle Colston of Tulsa, OK; Kyla Lee and Collin Lee of Huntsville, AL; Jenna Carter of Manchester, TN; Caroline Sparks of Knoxville, TN; and Emily Ramsey and Nicole Lee of Oak Ridge, TN.

Rev. Lee was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Gwenyth, in 1996, and sons Gayle Edward Lee of Huntsville and Laury Duane Lee of Tulsa, OK in 2019.

He was a lifelong member of the Assemblies of God.

After serving in the U.S. Naval Air Force, he received a Divine Call into the ministry; and after completing a seminary degree in Missions and Theology he and his wife preceded with plans to serve as missionaries in Nigeria, where the two younger sons, Laury and Ronald were born.  He served in various areas of ministry including supervision of ministerial activities, the building of mission facilities, and teaching on one of the five Bible Colleges.  He studied and became fluent in the Hausa language for better communication and for translating church materials for wide distribution as well as serving as interpreter for visiting ministers, including Nigerian officials from different tribes.  He worked among the Birom and Moroa tribes after building a new mission station on the Jos Plateau.  After 11 years in such a warm climate, he was unable to secure medical clearance for returning due to an excess accumulation of Malaria.

He resumed pastoral ministry and spent 3 years in Bagdad, FL; and while maintaining full time status as pastor, he was able to qualify as a senior and carry a full load of subjects at the newly opened University of West Florida in Pensacola. A member of the charter graduating class he received a degree in Philosophy. The next move brought him to Huntsville, where he served as pastor of the First Assembly of God for seven years.  after that he founded the Weatherly Road Christian Center, where before his retirement 14 years later, a mortgage burning ceremony was held.  He also served in a number of offices in the greater Huntsville Ministerial Association, including the office of president.

In 1971, he was elected to General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God, representing the Alabama District Council on that 200 member governing board.  After serving there for 21 years, he was awarded the status of Honorary General Presbyter, which continues membership till death.  He was listed in the 4th and 5th editions of Who's Who in Religion, and recently listed in Who's Who in America.

After retiring from full time ministry, he worked with groups of seniors at Central Assembly of God and Southside Baptist Church.  He also served as a Red Cross volunteer in the Emergency Room at Huntsville Hospital, as well as working in various positions at the North Alabama Railroad Museum at Chase.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Visitation will be Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Weatherly Road Assembly of God, Huntsville, Alabama from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Services will follow at 11:00 AM with Rev. Nick Martinez officiating. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery.