Colin LaBeau Lee

Mr. Colin LaBeau Lee was born on June 5, 1952 in Ft. Eustis, VA. He completed his earthly journey, joining the Lord peacefully on March 24, 2024, at his home in Williamsburg.

His Christian life began in his youth at Little Zion Baptist Church and Chickahominy Baptist Church. He didn’t forget his Christian upbringing and in his early adulthood he was ordained as a Deacon at New Wine Christian Center in Anderson, IN.

Mr. Lee was one of the hardest-working and ingenious inventors, historians, and community-oriented men you would ever have the pleasure to meet and converse with. On May 19, 1974, he graduated from Hampton Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Biology.  Later that year, Colin began his service with the United States Army as an Active Commissioned Officer until 1977. He continued his service as a Reserve Commissioned Officer and later obtained the rank of Captain.

As an avid student and researcher, while in the Army he completed several classes in management practices, HR training and even earned the Expert Field Medical Badge through attending the Army’s Academy of Health Science. He also served as Battalion Assistant Adjutant and Medical Officer, Recorder on Administrative Discharge Board, Battalion Human Relations Officer, Battalion Alcohol and Drug Abuse Officer, Mess Officer, Battalion Postal Officer, Field Sanitation Inspector, Report of Claims Officer, Athletic and Recreation Officer and Instructor in water survival and sickle cell anemia. This entire list of accomplishments was obtained in three years as he ended his tour as Second Lieutenant Lee in February 1977.

Second Lieutenant Lee married his beautiful bride, Thressa Hodnett of Reidsville, NC, in a lovely ceremony on January 21, 1978. The couple has enjoyed 47 years of matrimony and have stood as pillars in the community they served, advancing the progress of African Americans in the area, promoting the goodness of God, and sharing their wisdom to all who know them.

Mr. Lee obtained his Master’s Degree in Health and Safety from Ball State University in 1982 and proceeded to accomplish even more great feats. He was the first African American Health Inspector to serve James City County since 1619; invented the quick change drying system for plastic machines while working for GM; inventor of the inflatable mini bulk bag while working for Chase Bag Company; invented the remote electric firing device for smoke and flare demonstrations as Health and Safety Officer for NUS; researched and produced the Black History play, “James Armistead Lafayette” (Freedom’s Silent partner, 1992). He was recipient of the 2007 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Implement the Dream Award and holds the copyright on Black History Gold and Silver Coin collection – Commemorating the Bi-Centennial end of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The accolades do not stop there… he also taught at The College of William & Mary in Special Programs “Patents, Inventions, and Creative Thinking”, he is the founder of the mini mobile Black History Museum, and was also a member of T.I.E.S. (Tidewater Inventors and Entrepreneur Society).

He was the youth summer camp leader along with his wife for several years, taking hundreds of kids to a one-week Christian camp, where they learned about the Lord as well as learned to fish, played ball, swam, and many gave their lives to the Lord. He also led an after-school tutoring program in which he emphasized Science and Mathematics.

Colin defined the scripture “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…” (Eccl. 9:10) He single-handedly sought after and pursued excellence in every endeavor and lived his life fully and completely devoted to his family and community.

He is survived by his dutifully faithful wife Thressa Lee; daughter Ms. Kimberly Graves Jones; grandsons, D’Antony Roberts of Newport News, VA and Karlin Roberts of Chesapeake, VA; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Xayvion Roberts, Dijon, Trayvion, and Xeniyah Banks, and Tatiana Roberts; brother Darnell Lee of Williamsburg, VA; aunt Catherine Curtis (Jimmy); uncle Edgar Lee (Rebecca); and a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in glory by his parents, Harris Lee, Jr (2022) and Doris Hawkins Lee (2000), and children, Wendell (1979), Brandon (1980), Amy and Allison (1982).

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2024, at Little Zion Baptist Church. Interment to follow in the church cemetery. Mr. Lee may be viewed from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024, in the funeral home.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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