FRANKLIN — Lee Alexander Tolliver, 81, joined the Lord on Oct. 17, 2016.

He was born on Jan. 9, 1935, in Besoco, West Virginia, to the late William and Ollie Bailey Tolliver.

Lee was also preceded in death by two brothers, Malcolm and John, and two sisters, Margaret and Beatrice.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife of 36 years, Brenda Tolliver; his brother, Max Tolliver; his three children, Lee Tolliver Jr. (Ellen), Kathy Batrouny (George) and Brian Helms (Tammy); his five grandchildren, Nicole, Emile and Alex Batrouny, and Jordan and Sydney Helms; several nieces and nephews; a large extended family; and many friends.

He grew up in Mt. Hope, West Virginia, before joining the Navy, serving his country for 21 years. He was stationed at various locations including Paris, France, and Stuttgart, Germany. Upon retiring from the Navy, Lee dedicated 20 more years to his country as a civil servant at the Naval Supply Center, and became the first college graduate in his family, earning a Bachelor of Arts from St. Leo College.

Lee was an avid fisherman starting with his days as a youngster. He was also an accomplished carpenter, an amateur photographer, and a devoted family man. In addition to using his carpentry skills to craft many wooden keepsakes for family and friends — and renovating Brenda’s 100-year old family home — Lee used his gift to witness for God. He was a strong Christian who served as a deacon at both Thalia Lynn Baptist Church in Virginia Beach and Black Creek Baptist Church in Franklin.

Lee was a remarkable man disguised as a fun-loving, perennial adolescent who never met a stranger.

The funeral will be on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 3 p.m., in Black Creek Baptist Church, 34163 Vicksville Road, Franklin, with the Rev. Greg Kitts officiating. The burial with military honors will follow at Black Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Black Creek Baptist Church in Lee’s memory.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org.