Jessee “Lee” Church, 82, of Purlear, North Carolina passed away Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Wilkes Medical Center. He was born on January 4, 1942 in Wilkes County, North Carolina to J.G. and Annie Hayes Church.

Lee had retired from the Wilkes County School System.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, R.G. Church, a sister, Juanita Williams and her husband Jim, and a brother-in-law, Ralph Pierce.

SURVIVORS:

His wife of 64 years: Betty Bagby Church

2 daughters: Deborah Hartzog & husband Joe of El Mirage, AZ and Donna Redmon & husband Ricky of Purlear, NC

3 granddaughters: Jessica Hartzog Eneriz, Vanessa Hartzog and Victoria Baldinger & husband Tim

5 great-granddaughters: Ivy Kilby, Kamryn Prevette, Zinnia Baldinger, Elizabeth Baldinger, and Zoe Eneriz

1 great-grandson: Elijah Eneriz

1 sister: Velma Barnhardt

2 sisters-in-law: Lottie Pierce and Nellie Parsons

Home-Going Celebration: Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 2:00pmET at Millers Creek Baptist Church in Millers Creek, North Carolina with Pastors Jim Gore, Tom Vannoy and Tim Byrd officiating

The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

The family has requested no food. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the ministry of Missionary to Nicaragua for Vanessa Hartzog (granddaughter) https://worldinitiativenetwork.org/missionary/Vanessa-hartzog or World Initiative Network, Vanessa Hartzog, PO Box 1045, Springfield, MO 65801 put 51224W in the memo, Millers Creek Baptist Church, PO Box 559, Millers Creek, NC 28651, Hope Ministries, 514 Elkin Hwy., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-080 or St. Jude Childrens Hospital Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinsturdivant.com.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Wilkesboro, North Carolina is in charge of the arrangements.

For more information locally, contact Cowherd and Parrott Funeral Home in Greensburg.