Michael Smith Lee passed away peacefully on August 20, 2022. He loved his family every day of his life; his legacy is now carried on by his daughters; Mandy Lee Farris (Todd) and Whitney Lee; grandchildren Hutch and Lunden Farris, Dayton Freeman and Ryker Simpson. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Pauline Lee and sister, Bettye Majors. Following graduation from Garinger High School he joined the U.S. Army to resolutely and selflessly serve this country that he loved so passionately at a time when it not made easy to do so.  He served in the 3/1 Infantry, 11th Light Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division in the Vietnam War. After returning home Michael could never again bring himself to leave the U.S. soil that he fought for. He loved music and was known to find himself on the tour busses of great musical artists as they passed through Charlotte.  He continued to stand for his country to his last days by unabashedly and unhesitatingly, but joyfully,  schooling the less patriotic types on social media on what it really means to be a patriot.  With his career in computer programming, he brought his gifts to Wrenn Brothers, Cato Corporation and Computer Task Group.  During his time with CTG, he lived in Memphis on assignment with St. Jude Children’s Hospital. He was so deeply honored to be a small but critical part of the St Jude legacy that he asked that memorials be directed to St. Jude in lieu of flowers. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, August 24 at Eastview Cemetery in Newton, NC at 15:00 EDT. A military burial at Arlington Cemetery, originally the Homestead of his ancestor General Robert E. Lee, to honor his military service will follow at a later date.