Levi Lee

Levi Lee, 84, of Macon, MS passed away early Tuesday morning, January 16, 2024 while visiting in Sarasota, Florida.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 21, 2024 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Magnolia Mennonite Church in Macon, MS. Funeral Service will be at the church Monday, January 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Service will be conducted by Phillip Knepp, Ben Fleagle and Marvin Lapp. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Cockrell Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

Levi was born September 6, 1939 in Arthur, Illinois to Menno & Lydia Lee.  He married Elmina Stutzman on July 10, 1960.  They moved to Mississippi in 1962 where he was a dairy and row crop farmer for many years, later he added catfish to the farm. After “retiring”, they travelled to many states frying catfish at various benefit events where he became known as the “Fish Man”.  He loved to meet old and new friends along the way. He always carried extra ink pens in his pocket with his address and passed them out with an invitation to stop by if ever passing through the area.  Their doors were always open to visitors and anyone that needed a place to stay.

He loved the Lord and was a long-time member of Magnolia Mennonite Church. He played the guitar and loved to gather friends and family around for a pickin’-an-grinnin’ where hymns and choruses were sung about His Lord.

He is survived by his wife, Elmina, of 63 years; five children, Cynthia Hilty of Wheatland, WY; Jeffrey (Kathryn) Lee, Gerry (Delisa) Lee, Dwight (Crystal) Lee, Denise (David) Estes, all of Macon, MS; 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.  Three brothers, Norman (Marietta) Lee of Goshen, IN; Albert (Wilma) Lee of West Point, MS; Edward (Teresa) Lee of Vernon, AL; two brothers-in-law, Davie Beachy of Arthur, IL; and Jerry Balsley of Breman, IN.  Five sisters, Katie Leatherman of Wilmington, DE; Gertie Beachy of Free Union, VA; Tillie Miller of Macon, MS; Barbara Smith of Tampa, FL; Lois (Floyd) Borntrager of Macon, MS; one sister-in-law, Janice Lee of Hutchinson, KS.

He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Nelson Lee; two sisters, Emma Beachy and    Martha Balsley; one granddaughter, Diane Lee and one great-grandson, Tyson Graber.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Magnolia Christian School 132 Odd Fellows Cemetery Rd Macon, MS  39341.