November 17, 1917 - November 22, 2019
Bernard Ray Lee was born at his grandparents home in Haskell county, during a visit, on November 17th, 1917. The family resided, a days long wagon ride away, in Dickens county. Bernard joined his mother, Ozella; father, Alfred Elmore; brothers, Arvil and Wayland; and sisters, Vida and Mildred. Following his arrival, the family would welcome another boy, Duward and girl, Dorene. Making seven siblings in all. Uncle Lee Mimms called the young Bernard, “Jack.” His mother however, always called him Bernard. They all grew up on a small farm surrounded by family members. They raised cotton, and maize to feed the animals. Family members would help tend to growing and harvesting crops, and other farm chores. He was surrounded by his grandmother, aunts, uncles and multiple cousins. Life on the farm was filled with hard work, family, and plenty of shenanigans. Big brother Arvil was particularly ornery. The family crank phone wasn’t working one day. So Arvil told young Bernard to hold the two ends of the broken phone wire, one in each hand. Arvil ran back to the phone and cranked it up. Young Bernard, completing the circuit, experienced the shock of his life. Tragedy struck the growing family in January 1923. Bernard was 5 when his father came down with influenza which claimed his life. Life was hard for his single mother and six siblings, including the 7 month old baby. Extended family often pitched in to keep the farm going and putting food on their table. Bernard, at a young age, learned to farm alongside his siblings and hard working mother. As the family grew up, the older children married and left home. Bernard went to school up to the 10th grade, having only one year left till graduation. He left school several times out of necessity to work the farm, to support his mother and younger brother and sister. He continued to farm until the end of World War 2.
It was then that he, his mother, younger sister and nephew moved to California, seeking a better life. Several family members had settled in Linden and Stockton, California. Bernard started working with his older brother Arvil, at Lee’s auto repair, as a mechanic in Linden. He worked there for about 15 years. He lived with family in Linden and settled in to California life. The family started attending the Church of Christ in Stockton on California street. In 1946, Novelle Scott moved to French Camp to attend nursing school. Novelle had excellent typing skills and typed up the church bulletin after church on Sunday. Bernard offered the young nursing student a ride home after church. Eventually Bernard and Novelle struck up a friendship. Novelle was engaged to someone else at the time. As their friendship grew so did their love for each other. Novelle quickly broke off her engagement and started dating Bernard. Bernard and Novelle were married March 18th in 1950. The young couple made their new home on North Sutter in Stockton. 3 months later, they moved to Linden where they remained for 3 years. Children quickly blessed their family. First, Cheryl was born, 13 months later Joy was born. The couple realized that they needed a bigger house for their growing family. They soon bought a house in nearby Stockton on Coolidge street. Next, along came Bernie and Teresa. Again, they needed a bigger house. The young family then moved to a house on Watts Avenue, built by brother-in-law Kent in 1958. They lived in that house until 2015, 47 years. During that time they welcomed their youngest child Ozella, which completed the family. Bernard left his job as a mechanic and started working with his brother Wayland at Dutch Boy paint. The company eventually sold to Dunn paint, where he retired in 1983. Bernard’s life was filled with church activities, where he served as a deacon and zone leader. (The churches first small group.) He was close to his extended family and played 42 on many Sunday nights. He taught all of his children this domino game which they still enjoy. He always had a dog and fruit trees. He raised canaries in the backyard. He sold and showed them and was quite successful, earning many trophies and Crystal gifts. He enjoyed golf and bowling in his retirement years. He was kind to others. He gave money to those in need in his neighborhood, he supported Agape villages and Lubbock Children’s home. He was an involved father. He played with his children. He told them jokes, ran his comb along their legs, brought them treats like peppermint sticks, Brazil nuts, coconuts and bananas. He could shoot a watermelon seed way across the yard and had incredible aim. He carried this playful nature on to his grandchildren as well. He was somewhat reserved but those who knew him best knew him to have a strong Christian faith, a great sense of humor and a love for his family.
He is survived by his younger sister, Dorene. His daughters Cheryl, Joy, Teresa and Ozella. Sons in law Troy and Vern. 19 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren. Bernard’s pride and joy was his family. The legacy of Bernard’s servant spirit, sense of humor and sense of kindness will live on through his loved ones.
SERVICE
A memorial service will be held for Bernard on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 11:00 at the Church of Christ located at 4799 E. Foppiano Lane, Stockton, CA 952012.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Lee family.
