Mr. Ernest Edward Lee, 96, of Newington, passed away Monday evening at his residence under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice. He was a lifelong resident of the Newington area, where he farmed for most of his life. He was a member and deacon of the North Newington Baptist Church. He was a man of dedication, having been married to his beloved wife since November 4, 1937, and being a member of the Newington Masonic Lodge# 503 for 71 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Uhlma Poythress and Robert Edward Lee. Survivors include his wife of 73 years, Juliette Colson Lee of Newington; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Brenda Lee of Thomasville, Ga., and Robert E. Sr. and Paula B. Lee of Newington; daughter and son-in-law, Judie L. and Carl Crews of Newington; a sister, Uhlma Z. Lovett of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandchildren, John and Kathy Lee of Marshville, N.C., Michael and Jody Lee of Springfield, Elizabeth L. and Cooper Embry of Gainesville, Julie M. and Jeff Moeller of Woodstock, Lee and Laurie McKinney of Calhoun, Robbie and Cheryl Lee of Fargo and Adam and Kristin Lee of Statesboro; 20 great-grandchildren. The visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home, Screven Chapel. The funeral service will be held Thursday, January 27, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the North Newington Baptist Church with the Rev. Max Hall and John Lee officiating. Interment will follow in the North Newington Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons and the Men's Adult Sunday School Class of North Newington Baptist Church, Billy K. Evans, Mike Evans and Grady Evans. Memorial contributions may be sent to the North Newington Baptist Church, P.O. Box 236, Newington, GA 30446; or Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459. Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com. Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home, Screven Chapel, is in charge of all arrangements. Statesboro Herald, January 26, 2011 Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.