WHITE STONE—Phillip Paymus Lee answered God’s call and departed this life Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond.
Phillip was born February 22, 1941, to Norman and Rosa Cox Lee in Kilmarnock.
He joined the Calvary Baptist Church at an early age participating in all the youth organizations, later joining the Mount Vernon Baptist Church where he became a member of the Men’s Club and sponsor of the Youth Fellowship.
Paymus married Gloria Hill on October 22, 1960, and together they raised three sons and two grandchildren.
Paymus was a hard worker, beginning with his uncle Earl’s barber shop while still in high school. There he learned the love of working with family. He also worked with his uncle Harold logging.
He worked with his father and son, Clint, at the Lancashire Nursing Home, also with Clint painting houses. He found his calling at Tiffany and Hurley Boat Yards, using ethics taught by his parents Norman and Rosa Lee; grandparents, Dennis and Grace Lee and Phillip and Essie Cox.
He established a family business, Lees Yacht Service with a station wagon, paint brush and son, Dennis. The company grew to be known as the best on the East Coast from Maine to Florida. Over the years, he worked with all three sons, grandson, Dennis Jr., uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins, passing on to his sons and grandchildren to work hard, be honest and take pride in a job well done. His son, Norman, is now carrying on the marine tradition.
Paymus loved his wife Gloria of 58 years, his family and all children, becoming a Boy Scout leader for Troop 242. His home was always full of children causing the school bus to stop at the gate from 1966-2017. Win or lose, he loved the Dallas Cowboys. He loved his work, never met a stranger and was confident and proud of a job well done.
He will be greatly missed by his devoted wife, Gloria Lee; three sons, Clint of Lusby, Md, Dennis (Stacey) of Northumberland, Norman (Monique) of Macon, Ga.; eight grandchildren, Tytenesha, Dennis, Terrell, Andre, Dominique, Jordan, Kameron and Amiya; eight great-grandchildren, Ebony, Troy, Kaela, Lynesha, Isaiah, Navaeh, Natalya and DeShawn; three brothers, Vernal of Baltimore, Md., Donald (Evonne) of Heathsville, William (Vera) of Kilmarnock; one sister, Faye Ball of Richmond; aunts Marietta Campbell of Baltimore, Bertine Jones of Lancaster, Dorothy Kelly and Martha Lee of Kilmarnock; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
A service was held Monday, June 24, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, White Stone, with interment in the church cemetery.
