Samuel Y. Lee, age 72, went home to be with the Lord on January 3, 2023.

SAMUEL Y. LEE

Samuel Y. Lee entered this world on October 18,1950 in a cold mining town known as “Lynch”. Lynch is a home rule class city in Harlan County Kentucky.  Named for the “Father of Mine Safety” Thomas Lynch.

He was preceded in death by his parents Sam & Odie B. Lee three brothers Hosea, Robert & Danny Lee.

Samuel grew up in Cumberland Kentucky and attended the local Catholic Elementary School.  For better employment opportunities, his father relocated the family to Cleveland, Ohio settling in the Glenville area. As a family they attended and joined Second Lakeview Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. W. C. Craton, at an early age Samuel accepted Christ.  After the relocation to Cleveland, Samuel’s education continued in the Cleveland Public School district (i.e.)  Chesterfield Elementary, Patrick Henry Junior High and then on to Glenville High School. And that’s where the Love story began with Samuel and Sha Ron.

In the summer of 1966 on Fairport Ave where I (Shar ron), lived was the first time I saw Samuel walking home from school with friends. I was in the street playing football {quarterback}, every day and I would speak to him, and he just looked and kept walking. One day I heard him say “I don’t like girls who play football” I dropped the ball in the street, went and sat on my porch, crossed my leg, and waited for him every day.  Once I was at Glenville High School, I followed him, and it was at his locker during lunch time that I told my best friend Deborah he was gonna be my boyfriend.  I was later told it was the big legs that got his attention. And I was his girlfriend.

It’s now June 1968 and Samuel would be off to college to The Ohio State University after graduation. Per my mother, I was too young to attend his Prom so I did the next best thing.  I helped him wash his car and he took some other girl and I waited.  He came over after the prom…. it’s now January,1971and Samuel transferred to San Jose University, in California that prior year.  I wrote him every week. Sending him photos with handwritten signs held by my sisters Pat & Sandy.  It is now my Prom time, and Samuel flew home to take me.  We have been together ever since. Building our life always putting GOD first then our parents.

Samuel was employed at TRW, as a laborer and, University Hospital as a Physical Therapist.  He always wanted to be his own Boss which is now called Entrepreneurship. And that’s just what he did, his first Entrepreneurship was as a Franchisee with Dairy Mart and then Little Debbie S & S distributorship for 20 plus years. Samuel employed our nephews, friends & family members to work for him. I took care of the money & paperwork… What a team we were, always together enjoying life, MY LOVER, BEST FRIEND, WE WERE TRULY SOLEMATES, “Solid as a Rock” Ashford & Simpson.

Samuel was an outdoors man, driving all over the country on vacations and family reunions, fishing, golf, bikes riding, camping with the kids, tennis, basketball and traveling with family & friends.

Samuel drove me everywhere especially to my Glenville events; we loved dogs 5 to be exact. I was the social Butterfly, Samuel was quiet and let me spread my wing until he gave me that look, Shar ron lets go & everything is not a Kodak Moment, some have heard him say that.  God has blessed us with an extraordinary, incredible, and rich life with family & friends.  All though we never wanted children they seemed to gravitate to him.  Samuel loved his [our] Brothers & Sisters.  He was quiet yet somehow you knew he was in the room.  And then the walls came crashing down when became ill. l Samuel fought to stay with me and on January 3^rd, 2023, my love took his last breath!!! ‘ And went home to be with Lord.  “I LOVED ME SOME HIM” The Story Will Not End UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!

Samuel leaves to cherish his memories to his devoted  wife Shar ron of 56 years, members of his immediate family, close relatives & great loyal friends. His sister, Norma Jean McLaughlin, of Cleveland; brother, Robert Knight (Olivia) of Florida; Mother-in-law Dorothy Dozier, of Cleveland; Sister-in-law Carol, of Alabama, Rob Base, cousin of Cleveland.  I can’t name one person over {Damon, he and Sam had a special bond} all just know each & every one of you were important and loved by Samuel in your own remarkable way. He will see u again!