Charles Thomas Lee, 87, of Lillington, died April 19, 2016 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh.

He was born January 27, 1929 to the late W.H. (Bill) Lee and to Katherine Phelps Lee. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Sara Mann of Raleigh and Ann Friend of California.

He graduated from Lillington High School, attended Campbell College and Bowling Green College of Commerce in Kentucky, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business and Accounting, graduating in 1956. He served in the Navy from 1948-53. He began work with the Insurance Company of North America as an aviation and marine underwriter in Tampa, Florida, was later transferred to St. Louis, and was licensed as an independent insurance agent and insurance broker in Missouri and Illinois. After suffering a severe illness, he returned to his home in Lillington, NC, where he took up the family business as proprietor of Leeway Shoe Repair from 1977 until his retirement in 2003, where he took pleasure in serving the community.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Melrose Canaday Lee, his three daughters, Leslie Lee-Browning and husband Burt Browning, Nancy Lee, Amy Johnson, and husband Keith Johnson, and his sister, Melva McNeill Fraley of Greensboro. He has four grandchildren: Elliot Browning, Avery Browning, Trevor Johnson and Ethan Johnson. Mr. Lee enjoyed his grandchildren, reading, traveling, good conversation and coffee with friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 22, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at O'Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home in Lillington. The funeral will be held Saturday, April 23, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Lillington Presbyterian Church, and a graveside service at Harnett Memorial Park in Lillington, with Rev. Dawn Stoker officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the fellowship hall building fund of Lillington Presbyterian Church or the Harnett County Food Bank.