R. W. Lee
(No date on this clipping)

          Funeral Services were held Wednesday afternoon for Eld. R. W. Lee, veteran Baptist minister and former member of the county board of supervisors, who died at the home of his daughter, Mr. J. R. Gardner, here Monday afternoon.  Death followed a stroke of paralysis and the aged minister had been in a state of coma for several hours preceding his death.

          Death worked quickly in culminating a home life that had given much to the community of which it had been a part.  Rev. Lee dying a few weeks after his wife had succumbed.  Rev. Lee was 83 yeas of age and for many years was an outstanding figure in Southern Illinois church circles.  He was moderator of the Franklin Baptist church at West Frankfort for four years beginning about 1902, when the church had services but twice a month.

          In addition to his work with the West Frankfort church, Rev. Lee pastored a number of rural church ministry.  He is the father of Rev I. E. Lee, pastor of the First Baptist church of Harrisburg and Marion Lee, former member of the West Frankfort City Council, now living east of West Frankfort.

          He leaves in addition to the daughter at whose home he died, one other daughter, Mrs. Mallia Eickleman, of Chicago.  There are also three other sons, John Lee of Macedonia; N. T. Lee of Benton; and B. L. Lee of West Frankfort

From: Felty’s Legacy of Kin, Vol. I, p. 333
Obit Pub: Times-Leader August 24, 1933
Rev. W. R. Lee, b. 10 Jan 1853, Logansport, Ind.; d. 18 Jan 1933, home of dau., Mrs. J. R. Gardner, Benton.  Married Josephine Phillips, 05 Oct 1871.  She died 04 July 1932 (obit not found).  Leaves 7 ch.: Rev. I. E. Lee of Harrisburg, John T. & Norma D., both of Macedonia, Marion H. & B. L., both of West Frankfort, Mrs. Cordia Grander of Benton, & Mrs. Mallie Eickelmann of Chicago.  Leaves 1 bro.: James Lee of Macedonia; 2 half-sis.: Mrs. Hosea Benbrook & Mrs. Charles Goss, both of Ham. Co.

Mrs. Josephine Lee
(Unknown Newspaper - 1932)

          Josephine Lee, wife of the Rev. R. W. Lee, veteran Baptist minister of Benton, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. R. Gardner at Benton, Tuesday evening, July 4th. She had reached the age of 70 years, 1 month and 26 days.

          Josephine Lee was born in Hamilton County and there grew to womanhood.  She was married to Robert W. Lee in 1872 and July 5th would have marked 61 years and nine months that these fine people had walked hand in hand.

          The young couple were converted and joined the Antioch Baptist Church at the same time, this happening after their marriage.  They retained their membership in the Antioch for many years, but had been members of the East Benton Baptist Church since their removal to Benton some four years ago.

           Mrs. Lee had spent her entire life in Hamilton and Franklin Counties and had long been known as one of the noblest of women.

            She leaves five (sic) sons and two daughters, namely: John T. Lee of Macedonia; Marion H. Lee of West Frankfort; Norman D. Lee of Macedonia; Dr. I. E. Lee, pastor of the First Baptist Church at Harrisburg; Mrs. Nellie Eickelmann of Chicago and Mrs. Cordelia Gardner of Benton.  Two daughters preceded her in death, Mrs. Effie Perry and Mrs. Elsie Smith.

           The aged husband, Rev. R. W. Lee, is well known as a Baptist minister all over Southern Illinois and during his active ministry earned the distinction of having been retained as moderator of the Franklin Baptist Association for a period of 25 years.

          Funeral services were conducted at the East Baptist church at 2:00 o-clock Thursday afternoon, July 6th, with the pastor, Rev. C. E. Butler, being assisted by the former pastor of the church, Rev. John B. Maulding.

          Interment followed at the Masonic and Odd Fellows cemetery.

          In addition to the surviving husband and children named, there are a large number of grandchildren and other relatives and friends who will mourn the passing of this good woman.