Fallen Hero: Retired Chief Master Sergeant Howard Lavon Lee

Pearl, MS

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Funeral Home

Ott & Lee Funeral Home

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Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Airman and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on October 17, 2025 and has moved on to his heavenly home.  Retired Chief Master Sergeant Howard Lavon Lee, age 82, who had served within the MSANG within the 172d Airlift Wing has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Airman.  We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Airman has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Airman for Life”.

Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:

Howard Lavon Lee, of Pearl, Mississippi, passed away at his home on Friday, October 17, 2025.

Visitation will be at Ott & Lee Funeral Home on Monday, October 20, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

The funeral service will take place at First Baptist Church of Pearl on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 12:00 pm with visitation from 11:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow in County Line Cemetery in Puckett.

Howard was born in Polkville, Mississippi, on April 1, 1943, to Helton McClain Lee and Novis Smith Lee. He retired from the Air National Guard with over 30 years of service to his country and state. He was one of the founding members of the Boys Club of Rankin County, where he did wonderful work with the youth sports program.

On February 17, 1968, he married his wife, Bobbie, and together they had two sons. He and his wife are longtime members of the church he loved, First Baptist Church of Pearl, where he served as a deacon for many years. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and being outdoors.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Helton and Novis Lee. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Bobbie M. Lee; sons, Charles Howard Lee and Robert Shannon Lee (Jessica); grandchildren, Andrew Lee (Kristen), Ashton Nanson (Paul), Braeden Lee, and Nicholas Lee; and great grandchildren, Landry and Libby Lee and Elena Nanson.