Lee Edward Martin Jr

LEE EDWARD MARTIN JR. OBITUARY Lee Edward Martin, Jr. was the oldest of four children born to the union of Lee Edward Martin, Sr. and Ruby Jean (George) Martin, on December 7, 1959 in Chicago, Illinois. Affectionately known as “June”, he was described as a little sweetheart with a smile that captured many hearts and eyes that twinkled with kindness, which stayed with him as he grew into manhood. He was a gentle spirit with a heart of gold. Lee received his early education from the Chicago school system until his family moved from the big city to Parkville, Michigan where he was enrolled in the Mendon Community Schools where he graduated with a high school diploma. Lee studied automotive body repair and painting under the mentorship of his maternal grandfather John George who was the owner of the Groves Body Shop in Parkville. Lee was very dedicated to the art of painting cars and became very sought after for his expertise and excellent workmanship, eventually having a shop of his own which he named Emanuel. He was known to take his time and paint it right! Lee was taught about the Lord at a young age while attending church and Sunday School with family members, but accepted Jesus as his savior in his twenties and became a serious student and lover of the Word of God. He enjoyed listening to and meditating on sermons by various men and women preachers and loved sharing his tapes and cd’s as a way of sharing Jesus with others. Lee’s walk through this life was grounded in 2 scriptures; 2 Corinthians 5:7 “We walk by faith and not by sight”, and Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat it’s fruit”. He often advised people to “Speak life! Be careful what you let come out of your mouth! You’ll speak it right into existence!” During his teenage years Lee attended the All Nations COGIC church in Parkville under the pastoral leadership of the late Elder Luther Channey. In the 90’s he attended the Ambassadors for Christ Church of Three Rivers, MI, under the leadership of Apostle Joseph L. Stanford. Lee relocated to Minneapolis, MN several years ago and considered it his home. He recently had begun attending Joint Heirs with Christ Faith International church under the pastoral leadership of his uncle, Pastor Gene Martin. On February 27, 1991, God blessed Lee Jr. with the amazing gift of a baby girl, Nicole Le Martin, whom he adored. He was so proud to be her dad and would smile ear to ear when talking about his Nikki. He loved spending time with her and doing dad things like taking her fishing and teaching her to drive on the country back roads. They shared a very special father-daughter bond that Nikki will always cherish. June always had a coolness about himself that made people want to be around him, and his swag was so unique, who else could tie a bandana just right on their head, put on a suit and a hat (on top of the bandana) and look superfly? He was so cool~ Lee united in holy matrimony on June 1, 1994 to Donna Wylie-Brooks, who preceded him in death. No children were born from this union. On Thursday, January 28, 2021, at the age of 61, the Lord commissioned His angels to usher Lee’s spirit into His presence, according to 2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord”. He was also preceded in death by his parents Lee Edward Martin Sr. and Ruby Jean Bowersox; maternal grandparents, John and Mattie George; paternal grandparents, Earnest Sr. and Octavia Martin; brothers Charles “Tony” Martin and John Martin, Sr; sister Tyeesha McHie, and a special cousin Carmen George. Lee leaves to cherish his memory his loving daughter, who was the apple of his eye, Nicole Le Briggs; son-in-law Adam Briggs; granddaughter Brooklyn Le Briggs; sisters Janet Martin, Michelle Martin, Nicole Sloan, Quinita and Donita McHie. Long time loving companion Kathleen Mercer; Stepfather John Bowersox, special aunt Clara Jasper; 3 aunts: Eddie Lou Martin, Elvie (Johnny) Ross, Carron Kearney; 5 uncles: Pastor Robert (Loraine) Martin, Wahid (Lynne) Martin, Pastor Gene (Philett) Martin, DeWayne (Margaret) Martin, and Dennis Martin. Special cousins who loved one another as siblings. He also had a host of Nieces, nephews, friends, and a dear family friend, Emma Washington. That infectious smile and those twinkling eyes will be missed so very much, but June will always be loved and never

Lee Edward Martin Jr

December 7, 1959 - January 28, 2021