Ira Dewitt Lee, Sr. of O;Brien, Florida passed away on March 17, 2024. He was born in
Waycross, GA to Lawton Mitchell Lee and Ruby Swain Lee. Ira lived a full life. Upon
graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S Navy and served as a radio control operator
on a naval plane while stationed in Japan. After serving his country for 6 years, he was
employed with AT&T where he retired after 30+ years.
Ira met the love of his life, Ellen,in Waycross GA. Excited to start their new life together, the two
were married on January 23, 1961.
Ira and Ellen couldn't wait to start a family of their own, and were blessed with two wonderful
children who meant the world to them.
Though Ira loved to fish and travel in their RV, Ira's favorite role was that as a grandparent. He
treasured his time with his grandkids and loved being their Papa, never failing to spend as much
time with them as possible.
Ira was an active member of Union Baptist Church.
Everyone who knew him knew how much he loved fishing, camping, grilling and frying fish. All
the kids and grandkids remember how much he loved to make homemade pancakes and loved
to pick home grown grapes and make jelly, following the recipe he made with his mother. He
loved college football, especially the Georgia Bulldogs. Baseball was also a favorite sport and
he enjoyed rooting for the Atlanta Braves. He was a huge part of the Spirit of the Suwannee
recreational events such as the "Suwannee River Jam", "Wannee" and "SpringFest".
Ira will always be remembered for his gentleness, kindness, honesty, humility and sense of
humor. We'll always imagine hearing him say "fiddlesticks" one more time. We couldn't have
asked for a better husband, father, papa, brother, uncle and friend.
Ira was preceded in death by his father Lawton Lee, mother, Ruby Lee, and brother, Dwight
Lee. He is survived by his wife, Ellen, children Ira (Nicole) Lee of Lake City, Fl,; Mary (Marty)
Humphries of O'brien, FL; sisters Alice Gresham of Jackson, GA,; and Debra Carrigan of Katy,
TX; brother, Mickey Lee of Katy, TX.; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 23rd at 2:00 pm with service at 3:00 pm at Union Baptist
Church in O'Brien, FL. Graveside to follow in the church cemetery.