[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E29]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ROBERT MARION LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 11, 2024

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a gifted 
carpenter, church leader, and good friend. Robert ``Marion'' Lee 
transitioned from this life on January 6, 2024. His love, kindness, 
warmth, and generosity will be well remembered and sorely missed.
  Robert Marion Lee was born on December 20, 1932, in Charleston 
County, South Carolina. He was raised by his grandmother, Mary 
Middleton, and attended Charleston County schools. As a young boy, 
Marion learned the values of family and hard work, having worked on the 
family farm while also caring for his siblings. He maintained this 
devotion towards family as he became a father to his first son, 
Marshall Lee Cohen, and later married his wife of 49 years, Vermel Lee. 
This union was blessed with a daughter, Vera.
  As an adult, Marion learned the trade of cabinetry and worked as a 
contractor. He built homes for countless families in Charleston County, 
and he took great pride in ensuring families had access to clean water 
in John's Island, Peters Field, Hollywood, and other rural areas. He 
later worked as a rehabilitation specialist and a building inspector 
until he retired to care for his wife. Marion was known for building 
picnic tables for members of the community and delivering them in his 
old blue truck.
  I came to know Mr. Lee through his activities throughout the Sea 
Islands of Charleston County. He served on various residential home 
builder commissions, the St. John's Constituent School Board for 
District 9, the St. John's Precinct No. 2 Election Commission, the Sea 
Island Health Care Center Board of Directors, the Rural Missions Board 
of Directors, the SC Fire Commission, and the St. John's Water Company 
on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer. In addition, he and his 
wife fed and clothed people in need, visited the sick and shut in, and 
wrote encouraging letters to incarcerated individuals throughout their 
lives.
  A man of deep faith, Marion joined Ferry Field Baptist Church in 
1947, where he worshiped for 76 years. He was ordained a Deacon in 
1967, served on the prayer and tarry service, and used his carpentry 
skills to repair and enhance the church's beauty. He was equally 
devoted to the church's youth, transporting carloads of children to 
Sunday school every week, and serving as Sunday school teacher and 
Superintendent. Marion also believed strongly in scripture's words to 
``come as you are.'' As a young man, he often had to attend church 
service in work clothes, which imbued him with a commitment to making 
Ferry Field a welcoming place for all people, regardless of their 
attire. Marion loved singing hymns that embodied his love and trust in 
God and served on the Senior Choir and Male Choir for many years.
  Left to cherish his memory are his two devoted children, six 
grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, 
four adopted grandchildren, God-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, 
cousins, caregivers, and the entire neighborhood of Lincrest Road.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in recognizing 
the life and legacy of Robert ``Marion'' Lee. Marion often remarked 
that he felt ``mighty blessed'' for all the people and experiences he 
encountered throughout his life. I and the entire Charleston community 
are likewise blessed for having known Marion. His rich legacy will 
continue to touch generations of Charlestonians for years to come.

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