Richard S Lee

His birth & Childhood

Richard Sheridan Lee, Sr. was born Tuesday, September 11, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan to his parents Mr. Ernest Clifton Lee and Ms. Rosetta Palmer. He was the 8th of 13 children total. When he was young his parents relocated from Detroit to Smiths Creek, Michigan where he was raised. As a child Richard was given the nickname Popeye because his eyes popped out when he was angry or serious about a situation. Later on, the nickname stuck and was quite suitable for him as he was a very big and strong young man.

Richard learned the value of hard work early in life. He was a loner always out looking for work in the neighborhood. A yard to cut or rake so that he could buy whatever he desired. He was definitely a go-getter.

Richard accepted Christ at an early age. He became a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Smiths Creek, founded by his Grandmother Jerusha Palmer. Richard was educated in the Marysville School System and was a huge local Star on the Marysville High School football team. He graduated from Marysville High School in 1963 looking for greater, and GREATER he would find.

Adulthood

In 1964 he was invited by some friends to visit Romeo, Michigan. He was told that Romeo had some of the finest women. Upon arrival at “Miss Bell’s Home,” a beautiful young lady named Rosetta Lothery walked past him and out the back door, and of course being the go-getter he was, he followed. After a brief courtship, they married in June 1965. He loved his wife, affectionately known as “Rose or Rosie,” and from their union 6 children were born, and one stillbirth.

Richard worked hard and had many jobs to provide for his family from farming to landscaping. Finally, he began a career at Ford Motor Company in Romeo, Michigan. He was a loyal and dedicated worker who devoted over 30 years to Ford Motor Company. Richard’s leadership was synonymous at work and in his family, as he carried the Palmer Family Reunion for years. He was sure to have the ice cream for decades at the family reunion and enjoyed bellowing out from across the park “Get out that Freezer,” just when you thought he wasn’t paying attention. He worked tirelessly to make sure his family came together each year.

Richard was known for many things but most notable as a MASTER griller. People all over the country enjoyed “HIS BARBEQUE!” He created a signature sauce that Hundreds of Thousands have enjoyed. He has cooked for Festivals (in and out of state), Family Reunions and even for the Ford Motor Company National Convention. He was definitely “THAT GUY.”

Richard loved to travel and was always ready to go at a moments notice. He purchased several cars, trucks, and motor homes to take him to almost every state. Richard had a huge heart for his entire family and friends who became family. He would drive up and down the highway to support his family for graduations, weddings, family reunions, birthday parties and more. If you called, he came and sometimes he just came! He was definitely a staple of his family and beyond that will be dearly missed.

His Death

Richard passed with family by his side after battling a long illness at McLaren Hospital in Port Huron, Michigan on November 24, 2021. He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Richard Lee, Jr. (Dennette) of Detroit, Michigan, Regina Lee, Rholanda Lee, and Rosetta Lee all of Port Huron, Michigan, Rodney Lee of Southfield, Michigan and two goddaughters, Melissa Kirkpatrick of Montgomery, Alabama and Sondra Lee of Detroit, Michigan; his grandchildren, Chakila, Santoria, Christopher, Telissa, Rochelle, Ajee’, Desmine, Tremaine, Zachary, Cameron, Samyra, and Tyler; 17 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; his brothers, Fred Lee of Smiths Creek, Michigan, Chrystal (Dwanda) Lee of White Oak, Georgia and David Hines of Detroit, Michigan; and his sister, Georgia (Charles) Holmes of Crossville, Tennessee; special friend, Freda White; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Rosetta Lee; daughter, Rhochelle Lee; grandson, Richard Lee III; his parents, Ernest Clifton Lee and Rosetta Palmer; stepfather, Ellsworth “Sonny” Hall; brothers, Ernest Lee Jr. and John Lee; his sisters, Irene Lee, Geraldine Jones, Gwendolyn Crockett, Mary King, Rose Hines, and Carmen Hines; his sister-in-law, Thelma Lee; a brother-in-law, Leslie King; and a goddaughter, Latrese Moore a.k.a. Nay Nay.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2021 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Friday, December 3, 2021 in All Nations Church of God in Christ Church. Suffragan Bishop E. Kimberly Brown will officiate.

Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Port Huron.

Arrangements are by Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com