Rev. Clennie L. Lee, Sr., at age 84, entered into eternal life on Monday, February 27, 2017. He was born on June 20, 1932 to the late Rev. Joseph and Lena Lee in Clayton, Alabama. He was one of four children that were reared in a Christian home with relatives who were ordained ministers. He accepted the Lord as his Savior at an early age, and began preaching. He was ordained in 1949 to the Eufaula Baptist District Council of Alabama.
He served in the United States Army and spent two years in Korea during the Korean War and received an honorable discharge. He was employed at the Veteran’s Administration in Brecksville, Ohio, and later was employed at the Ford Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio for 40 years.  
He was founder and former pastor of St. Timothy Bible Way Church in Akron, Ohio. Also, he pastored East Side Baptist Church in Canton, Ohio, and Second Baptist Church in East Liverpool, Ohio, retiring after 29 years of service.
His community outreach involved the following: president of the Ministerial Alliance in Canton and East Liverpool, Ohio; former president of the NAACP in East Liverpool; Member of Canton Board of Education; The City Taskforce on Crime; The Stark County Community Council; and a member on the Board of Wooster College. Also, Rev. Lee, Sr., hosted five radio programs: Community Views on WOIO, Inner City Views on WNYN, The People Speaks and Voice of the People on WINW, and orchestrated many Christian radio programs which included ministering the Word and inspirational music.
In pursuit of excellence, he attended the following institutions: Akron Bible Institute, Malone College and Tuskegee Institute.  He had a passion about ministering to others, visiting the sick and shut-in, and being an activist in labor and hiring practices. In 1976, there were no Blacks in top management or policy making at the Cleveland Press. He along with others were able to get community leaders, both Black and White, to protest. For the first time, Blacks were hired or upgraded to executive positions.
Besides his parents, Rev. Clennie Lee, Sr., was preceded in death by two brothers: David and Rev. Emmett Lee, Sr., son: Clennie Lee, Jr., daughters: Angela (Joseph) Williams, Beverly (Daryl) Ledford, and grandson: Adelbert Williams. He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devotes wife of 62 years, Frances C. Lee, daughter: Francine (Neil) Stevens of Canton, Ohio; sons: Benjamin (Francine) Lee of Columbus, Ohio and Samuel (LaVette) Lee of Canton, Ohio; sister: Sarah (Rev. J.S.) Mulkey of Clayton, Alabama; 13 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, six sister-in laws, one brother-in law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.  
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (KJV) (Psalms 116:15)

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