Joseph "J.T." Tilton Lee

This is a true story, told through the eyes of a Daddy’s girl.

Once upon a time, not too long ago, a man, Tilton Lee, and a woman, Beatrice Daniels, fell in love and created a family with eight beautiful children.  This large family of Tilton and Beatrice created generations of more beautiful children and more families to come. There was the first born, Willie Bea Carney (J.C.Carney) , and then came Laura May Battle (Robert Battle), who is now in heaven, next came Lettie Mae Strickland (Huey Strickland), and then Lucy Holcombe (John L. Holcombe), next was Carolyn Rigdon, then James Lee, who is also in heaven, and then came Joseph Tilton Lee to carry on the name, and lastly, the baby Thomas Calvin Lee who became a heavenly angel at an early age.

Joseph Tilton Lee, better know as J.T. Lee or “Just That” as he would say, had a wonderful childhood and adolescence, growing up on the farm in Shuqualak, MS.  He became the little brother to a family of five older sisters and was doted on constantly, which I might note, continued for the rest of his life.  During this time, he made life-long friends, but he had his mind set on bigger things and would quickly get out to see the world.

At the age of twenty, J.T., enlisted into the Army in order to serve his country.  He served for several years and excelled during this time holding many badges of honor.  He loved serving his country, however his zest for the world still beat strong in his heart, so he searched for answers in the place that he called home- Mississippi State University- (insert “Go Dawgs”).  During his time here he studied History and Physical Education.  After fulfilling his studies, he decided to move to Birmingham, Al and began his career at Med-lab (which became Roche Bio-Medical and Lab Corp).  J.T. loved the finer things in life and he loved a good time.  The stories that his friends and family could tell during this time in Birmingham are monumental.  He worked for Med-lab for 27 years, however it was during this time that his love story begins.

The love story that J.T. had, is not your typical love, it is a once in a blue-moon, million-to-one type of loves….and it wasn’t just for one woman, but for three. My dad met my mom while working for Med Lab, she too worked there and by chance he asked her to accompany him out for an evening.  His friends say that his face lit up every time he spoke of her, they all knew she was the “One”, and so did he.  Two weeks later they were engaged, then married, and J.T. became the proud father of two beautiful daughters, which created the life and family and made him the father that God intended him to be.

The Lee family moved to Pensacola, Fl, not long after the marriage.  J.T. had a business opportunity that he decided to take a chance on.  His best friend offered him the opportunity to purchase a “Bowling Center” in Florida…. (side note, my Dad had never bowled in his life.  I like to think that he passed on his sense of adventure to all of us) and he made a very successful venture out of it and met life-long friends.  I would also like to say that my father was quite the philanthropist and during his life, he actively gave to and was involved with various charities and organizations.  J.T. Lee is a man of honor, when he speaks, you listen….that’s it, and we all know it!

While living in Pensacola, he experienced heartache.  His first born, Branelle Anne Lee Jernigan succeeded him to heaven.  They are now together and watching and waiting for us, this I know.  After living in Pensacola and having the “Bowling Center” it became the first time for “retirement”.  He decided to relocate to Mary’s home of Kentucky.

While in Kentucky, J.T and Mary opened many successful restaurants, where J.T. furthered his love for cooking.  He became quite the chef and even had one of his restaurants, “Magnolia’s”, written up in Southern Living Magazine.  The common thread throughout my dad’s life was that no matter where he went or lived is that he touched so many lives and made close friends, even family that made a lasting impression on so many.

It was in Kentucky that J.T. was given the title that meant more to him than anything else…. he was given the title of “Dadaddy”.  He became a grandfather to his namesake, Tilton Brandt Lee.  Right around this time he decided that Kentucky was too cold, so he packed up Mary and the kids and moved back home to Mississippi to be with the rest of his family, and to retire for good this time.

J.T. moved back to Macon, MS and became a full-time Dadaddy.  During retirement, he once again got to be doted on by his sisters, play in his vineyard and supported his Dawgs every Saturday. He loved having get-togethers with “the Kids” as he referred to his many nieces and nephews that he loved so dearly.  His days were spent happily busy as he enjoyed his life to the fullest.  Two years ago, J.T. and Mary moved once again, this time just a short distance, to Meridian, MS to be closer to me, his daughter Leslie, his grandson Tilton, and his new light in his eye, his youngest grandson, Jude Lee.

Joseph Tilton Lee was many things during his life; a son, a brother, a patriot, a friend, an uncle, a husband, a father, a grandfather.  No matter what he was to you, you knew that he relished each of these titles given to him and never took them lightly or for granted.  He loved deeply.  He taught his children and grandchildren to do the same.  He made the world a better place in his 73 years on Earth with everything and everyone he touched.  This story, his story, has no ending….it continues on, because he continues on in our hearts and memories. The love he gave us all continues to live and grow every day.

J.T. Lee went to be in Gods arms on March 23 ^rd , 2020 at the University Medical Center Jackson, MS. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Cockrell Funeral Home in Macon, Ms.  A private memorial service will be held at the Cockrell Funeral Home  on Saturday, May 30 ^th .  The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project,  P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or Elon Baptist Church, P.O. Box 28, Macon, MS  39341   in honor of Joseph Tilton Lee.