R.V. Lee

RV Lee, affectionately known as “Snook” was born August 18, 1932 to the late Leon and Dora Lee in Town Creek, Alabama. When Snook was small his family relocated to Parkin, Arkansas and it was in Parkin where he was educated and sang as a member of a gospel quartet. Also, in Parkin he met and married the late Idella Jackson on March 18, 1952. To this union 8 children were born. The Lee family moved to Kansas City in 1956.  Snook retired from Lipton Tea Company (Unilever) as a machine operator after 37 years of employment.

All who knew Snook understood him to be a strong presence with a strong mind. He was always open to healthy debate and was rarely swayed from his opinion. He loved reading his newspaper and keeping up with current events and he held an opinion on practically any topic you could imagine. Generally quiet and reserved, he could easily be brought out of his shell when engaged in interesting conversations. He believed in routine and being a man of his word. If he said he was going to do something, you could count on him to do it. You could also set your clock to his daily routine, which also speaks to his dependability. Snook was not an overly emotional person, but he showed his love through acts of service and showing up for his family and friends.

Snook departed this life on his baby daughter Yvonne’s birthday, May 17, 2021. As his health began to fail, he was blessed to have the most amazing caregivers at his side- his eldest Juanita, his youngest son Lloyd (Pokey), his granddaughter Danielle, and his daughter Brenda. Glory be to God that he was surrounded by all his children when he closed his eyes and quietly went home to glory.

Snook was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Idella; his twin children: Frances and James; two brothers: Willie Glass, and Lee Ernest Lee; and one sister: Veda Lee.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving children: Juanita Coates(Vernon), Andrew Lee (Mary), Patricia Haslem, Brenda Nugent, Lloyd Lee, and Yvonne Lee; his adoring grandchildren: LaWanda Washington, Vernon Coates Jr., Marla Perkins (Loren), DuJuan Lee (Keonda), Danielle Jenkins, Deondrea Brand, Atara Haslem, Donzell Nugent (Kenya), Kendra Sipes, and Lindsay Lee; his sisters: Edna Mae Smith, Frances Jones, and Viola Kirby; a sister-in-law: Lillie Mae Pierce; eight grandchildren, and a host of other loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Due to COVID-19, please respect social distancing and face covering guidelines. Temperature checks will be enforced