HOMERVILLE — Sammy Wayne Lee, Jr., 46, of Homerville, passed away Saturday, October 8, at Baptist North Hospital in Jacksonville from injuries sustained in an accident while he was helping someone change a tire.
He was born in Waycross and was a 1994 graduate of Ware County High School.
Wayne served his country in the United States Army from 1997 until 2002 and received many medals including: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Aircraft Crew Member Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge, Kosovo Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, and Commander’s Coins.
After serving his country, he graduated from Waycross College with an Associate Degree in nursing and went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree from South College. In April 2022, he received his Nurse Practitioner License. He began his nursing career working at Satilla Regional Rehab Center and in the Emergency Room at Satilla Regional Medical Center. Wayne served as Director of Nursing at Clinch Memorial Hospital. He also worked for Hospice Satilla, Amedisys Homehealth in the Emergency Room at South Georgia Medical Center, Ware Express Care part-time on Saturdays, and currently was working at Faith Family Practice in Waycross. Wayne loved to work and care for people. “He was cowboy boots and a white coat with a lot of jokes and a huge personality.”
When he wasn’t working, he loved being involved in Clinch County. He was a radio commentator for WBTY calling basketball and baseball games for the Panthers. Wayne was a Recreation League coach for football, basketball, baseball, and softball. He was a former member of First Baptist Church where he was involved with 5th Quarter after the football games, chaperoned youth trips, and served on a mission trip to Wisconsin. Wayne currently was attending Indian Mound Baptist Church in Millwood. In Clinch County, he started the CNA program at the high school. He was also a founding board member of Jesus and Jam.
Wayne loved the following quote “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” John Wooden
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Eugene Franklin Sirmons and Maggie Ruth Sirmons; and paternal grandmother, Lucy Lee.
Survivors include three children, Kaitlynn Lee, Kolby Lee and Lila Ellis-Lee all of Homerville; one grandson, Kameron Lee of Homerville; his parents, Sammie Wayne Lee, Sr. and Brenda Kay Sirmons Lee of Waresboro; one sister, Ginger Kay Lee Barnett (husband David) of Waycross; grandfather, Sampson Lee of Waresboro; nieces and nephews, Ashley Evans (Bryan), Lily and Arya Evans, Hank Barnett (Kelly Martinez), Vivian Barnett, Harle Oliver (Jonathan), Ryann and Noah Oliver, and Hayden Barnett (Brittany Welch); several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 16, at the Homerville Station No 11 Train Depot.
Officiating was the Rev. Clayton Davis and the Rev. Mike Aldridge. The eulogy was presented by Kaitlynn Lee and Kolby Lee. Words of remembrance by Cecil Barber and Phillip Cook.
Sympathy may be expressed online at
www.roundtreefuneralhome.net.
Roundtree Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
