Charlye Jean Kirksey Lee

Charlye Jean Kirksey Lee of Knoxville, TN, passed away at home on August 13, 2023, surrounded by her family.  Jean was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Halls.  She was born April 29, 1930, to Charles Bostwick Kirksey and Emogene Clenney Kirksey in Tampa, FL.   She graduated from Elmodel High School, Elmodel, GA, as salutatorian and attended Berry College, Mt. Berry, GA.  She left Berry to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC.  There she met Tucker Lee Jr., the love of her life, who was serving in the U.S. Navy.  They were married in 1953 and Jean accompanied Tucker to Naples, Italy, while he was assigned to Navy vessel  LST 32.  Their first child, Donna Kaye, was born there.  Later, they were transferred to Knoxville, where their son, Charles Tucker, was born.  They celebrated 62 wonderful years of marriage March 8, 2015, shortly before Tucker passed away on May 9, 2015. 

In addition to her husband Tucker, Jean was preceded in death by: her parents, Charles Bostwick Kirksey and Emogene Clenney Kirksey; step-mother, Bexie Musgrove Kirksey; brothers Vernon, Lamar, Jack, and Billy; sister Ruth; father-in-law, Tucker Lee, Sr., and mother-in-law, Willie Marie Long Lee; and sister-in-law Katherine Y. Davis. 

Jean is survived by: her daughter, Donna Kaye Thompson, and husband Robert H. Thompson;  son Charles Tucker Lee, and wife Heather Ann Tanner Lee;  precious grandsons, Eric Matthew Phillips (Shannon) and William Cameron Thompson, and precious granddaughter Audra Grace Lee, all of Knoxville.  Also survived by: sisters Frankie Duane Tait, Valdosta, GA, Patricia Mathis, Barbara Whitaker (Donald), Rita Gail Moree (Gary), Deborah Kirksey, Wanda Sanders, and Marcia Gatlin (Scott), and brother William Joseph Kirksey (Rosemary) all of Albany and Leesburg, GA.;  brothers-in-law Joe Fay Lee and Hershel Ray Lee, and Clayton Davis of Waynesboro, TN; and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Jean will be fondly remembered for her high energy, her devotion to her family, her concern for other people, and her positive outlook, humor, and grit. 

Jean and Tucker served at the FBI and after retiring were blessed with many years to enjoy time with their children, grandchildren, and other family members, RV travels, and Jean’s creative hobbies such as painting and sewing.   

There will be no service held in Knoxville.  Jean will be laid to rest next to her loving husband Tucker in a graveside service at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Waynesboro, TN.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ United Methodist Church in Halls.  

Gentry-Griffey Funeral Chapel and Crematory is honored to serve the Lee family and invites you to sign the online registry at www.gentrygriffey.com

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