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Mr. Edmund Varner Lee Sr., age 82, a resident of Washington, passed peacefully Sunday, June 14, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his loving family who will forever remember his independent spirit and quick wit.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 2020, in the chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington and will be officiated by Travis Boyd. Following the service, the burial will take place at Pamlico Memorial Gardens. All six of his beloved grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Mr. Lee was born in Beaufort County on April 9, 1938, to the late George Noah Lee and Delsie Magdalene Craig Lee. On Sept. 5, 1958, he married Phyllis Virginia Tuten. Mr. Lee was an industrial mechanic for Belvoir Manufacturing until his retirement. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking, refinishing furniture and scoping out local yard sales.

In addition to his devoted wife of nearly 62 years, survivors include his son, Noah Lee and wife Patricia, of Greenville; a daughter, Cathy Waters and husband David, of Greenville; and his sister, Jacqueline Newberry, of Washington. Furthermore, Mr. Lee leaves behind the strong legacy of six grandchildren who fondly knew him as “Papa” including Bruce Lee and wife Kristen, David Waters Jr., Jonathan Waters and wife Karen, Andrew Waters and wife Bethany, Misti Lee, Blake Lee and wife Brittany, as well as 11 great-grandchildren, including Mason, Drake, Shealynn, Zoey, Claire, Chloe, Caleb, Evelyn, Ryder, with another on the way.

A son, Varner Lee, and a half brother, Henry Toler, predecease him.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington and following the service on Thursday.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Edmund V. Lee Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1465, Washington, NC 27889.

Condolences may be addressed to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Lee family.