On September 14, 1960, Arthur “Honey” Ray Lee, 85, was born in Bradley, Arkansas to Eddie Lee, Sr. and Rosie Lee-Sumpter Lee. With his grandson Alvin Ray Lee, Jr. by his side, on April 13, 2026, he passed away peacefully at CHI St. Vincent, Hot Springs, Arkansas. Though our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing he is now reunited in glory with his beloved wife Aline Lee (2011); his parents Eddie Lee, Sr. (2015) and Rosie Lee “Dump” Sumpter-Lee (1998); his brother Eddie Lee, Jr. (1997), sister Theressa “Sister” Lee-Casper (2016), oldest son Alvin Ray Lee, Sr. (2023), and great-grandson Kole Lavan (2026).
Arthur was baptized at an early age and attended St. Matthew Baptist Church in the Bradley Bottoms with his siblings. In January 2026, Arthur rededicated his life to Christ while being ministered to by the Chaplin at CHI St. Vincent Hospital, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
During his early years as a teenager, Arthur learned the value of responsibility and hard work.
He worked on the farm with his father and mother who were self-employed farmers. As writer of Arthur’s Obituary, I was blessed with the opportunity to learn about his earlier beginning – background as a teenager aspired to attend college and become a mechanic, by perusing his August 1, 1960, Application for Admission to the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Being too young, I could not have known of his interest post-high school. Therefore, the writings will be taken directly from Arthur’s very own Application for Admission as he sought enrollment at UAPB. It is very important to record as it describes Arthur’s goals and interests as part of his earlier life’s aspiration. Arthur graduated from Bumpham High School on June 12, 1960, and he applied for admission to UAPB on August 1, 1960, at the age of 19. He shared a very close relationship with cousins Daisy Lee and Elnora Lee whom he listed as relatives that attended UAPB, prior to his admission that ultimately inspired his attendance.
In Arthur’s very own written words, “From the time I entered high school, i have known what i wanted to be an Automobile Mechanic. Of my high school study other than mathematics, i have engaged most English, economics, history, bookkeeping, and biology. My favorite sports are basketball and baseball. At Bumpham High School I played all these games. The hard work of a two-year course for a Productive Mechanic does not discourage me because forever since fourteen I had an early heavy schedule”.
Following in the footsteps of his grandmother, mother, and father, Arthur also invested in farmland and became a self-employed farmer. After retiring as a farmer and in the footsteps of his grandmother, mother, and sister, Arthur purchased parcels of land in the City of Bradley, Arkansas with vacant houses and refurbished them for low-income families. In the late 1990’s, Arthur changed career course and decided, with a dream of becoming an auto mechanic, to become an over-the-road truck driver giving him the opportunity to repair his very own tractor-trailer truck. Arthur was an over-the-road truck driver until 2016. His hobbies included fishing and hunting.
With a quiet nature, Arthur was a beloved son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, cousin and friend.
He leaves to cherish his memory and will be deeply missed by his son Tommy Douglas Lee (Vickie) of Springs, Texas and grandchildren Leah Lee and Toya Lee; great-grandchildren Paityn Lee, Channing Lee, Kailyn Lee, Kennadi Lavan, Kevin Lavan; children of Alvin Ray Lee, Sr. (deceased); Amber Lee, Tamara Lee, Alvin Ray Lee, Jr., Ivorie Lee; great-grandchildren Tinajha James, Ambreunia Tippens, Kamarri Tippens, Tyquis Summerville, Rhian Lee, Ellis Lee, and Ayce Lee, and one great-great-grandson of Hot Springs, Arkansas; grandson Damiel Lee of Bossier City, Louisiana; Nathan Louigan a dear supportive friend of Plain Dealing, Louisiana, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and dear friends.
A Celebration of Life Service honoring Arthur will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Bradley, Arkansas. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Church.
Following the service, Arthur will be laid to rest at St. Mary Cemetery in Bradley.