With deepest sorrow we at Henryhand Funeral Home regret to announce the passing of Alma Lee, 95, of Kingstree, SC, widow of Rev. Matthew James Lee, who passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

Life Reflections

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made wit hands, eternal in the heavens:"

2 Corinthians 5:1

On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, our beloved mother, Alma Lee Franklin Lee, entered into eternal rest, after an extended illness.

Mother Lee was born in Kingstree, South Carolina, on December 2, 1930, the youngest child born to the late Deacon Calhoun and Mother Tina Fulton Franklin. She received her formal education at Tomlinson High School in Kingstree, South Carolina.

Mother Lee accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She was a faithful member of Goodwill Freewill Baptist Church, Cades, South Carolina, where she formerly served with the Senior Choir and the Missionary Board, and as President of the Usher Board. Some of her favorite songs were "Glory, Glory Hallelujah," "There's a Storm Out on the Ocean" and "Coolin Waters."

Mother Lee was a part of the Foster Grandparent Program through the Williamsburg County Vital Aging. Through this program, she worked with teachers and students at Battery Park, St. Mark and Kenneth Gardner Elementary Schools. She worked as a PCA and cared for many family members and friends in their time of sickness and affliction throughout the years. She also lovingly nurtured many children in her home, including her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the young children of the community.

On October 11, 1958, the former Miss Alma Lee Franklin was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Reverend Matthew James Lee. They were blessed with two daughters. Shortly after marriage, Rev. Lee and Mother Lee moved up north to Simsbury, CT and later Springfield, Massachusetts. She worked at Diamond Match International in Springfield for several years. Along with her late husband, she co-founded Willing Workers UFW Baptist Church, Springfield, MA, and was the recording secretary for ten years before returning to South Carolina in 1976. She later worshipped and fellowshipped with St. John Baptist Church, Greeleyville, SC, Allen Chapel Baptist Church, Cades, SC and Faith Baptist Church, Kingstree, SC.

Mother Lee was preceded in death by: her husband of 26 years, Rev. Matthew J. Lee; grandson, Mr. Desmond Montgomery; brothers, infant Calvin Marshall Franklin and Deacon Milton Franklin; sisters, Katie Anderson, Julia McBride, Ellen Franklin, Luvenia Johnson, Carrie Bell Loftland, Albertha McCall and Serena Williams; and a special niece, Janie Rae Bates.

Loved ones left to cherish her precious memories forever are: her two loving daughters, Retena (Otis) Montgomery of Greeleyville, SC and Tenesha Roland (Julius Wilson, II) of the home; a granddaughter, Almya K. Roland of the home; two grandsons, James A. Lee of Fayetteville, NC and Lamonte Montgomery (Tajuana Hickmon) of Greeleyville, SC; a special nephew reared as a brother, Calvin (Eleanor) Franklin of Hollywood, Florida; special niece she took as a daughter, Dotherine Williams of Kingstree, SC; a goddaughter, Evangelist Eleanor Pressley of Kingstree, SC; a godson, Dominic Matthews of Charleston, SC; two sisters-in-law, Ms. Katie V. Lee and Ms. Evelyn Lee; special friends, Mother Ivery Dell Staggers, Ms. Rosa Lee Durant, Ms. Angienether Montgomery, Elder Joseph & Sis. Lola Bennett and Ms. Ola Mae McFadden; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, neighbors and her Goodwill Freewill Baptist Church family.

The family will be receiving family and friends at 168 Red Road, Kingstree, SC.

All arrangements and professional services have been entrusted to Henryhand Funeral Home of Kingstree, SC. 843-354-2292 .