Allen Kent Lee

Allen Kent Lee entered the gates of heaven with love and gratitude on June 29, 2026, surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Ruby Lee; his beloved daughter, Marcina Lee Brooks; his sister, Amanda Lee; and his brother, Ollie Lee.

Allen was born to Benjamin and Ruby Lee on August 11, 1955, in Painesville, Ohio. His family moved to the west side of Chicago, Illinois circa 1962. He was affectionately known as “Hog” due to his big appetite, often waiting until everyone had eaten so he could finish the leftovers. He adored his mother and father, and consistently showed up for them when called upon for help. Though he was the youngest son in the family, many would agree he was the meanest of them all until one day, on March 27, 1973, he surrendered his life to Christ with humility and pure intentions at the Church of God on Drexel Ave, Chicago, IL shortly after God led Pastor Eric Jones to approach him to say, “Be prepared to meet the Lord” and handed him an invitation to his church. That one statement initiated the change in Allen’s life that transformed him into a new creature in Christ. Allen graduated from Austin High School in 1974 and attended Northern Illinois University for one year.

In November 1975, Allen married Latese Hatcher. From their union were born five daughters: Monica, Marcina, Jessica, Tiffany, and Dara. In 1982, he moved to Springfield, Ohio and planted roots to raise his family. During his time with the post office, many in the community came to recognize him by his white safari hat, warm smile, and willingness to strike up a conversation with anyone willing to engage. He had a passion for stopping at garage and yard sales along his postal route often bringing home his prized findings much to Latese’s chagrin. Allen, affectionately known by his church family as Brother Lee or Brother Allen, spent much of his life visiting the sick, widowed, incarcerated, retirement homes, nursing homes, and those in need, offering a prayer, scriptures, songs, or acts of service. He had a big heart; always willing to fix a church member, friend, or family’s washing machine, furnace, plumbing, car—you name it, without ever asking for anything in return. He found great joy in sharing his testimony and expressing gratitude for all God had done in his life.

In his free time, he enjoyed riding motorcycles, going fishing, camping, traveling to the Smoky Mountains, and spending time with family, church family, and friends. One of his greatest disappointments was missing the opportunity to be a Boy Scout. In his early teens, he became a close friend of Larry Tankson. Together, they learned karate and competed in various tournaments developing a lifelong friendship through their love of martial arts. He also taught himself how to play the guitar, drums, organ, and trombone. He wrote several songs in honor of those dear to him, including his sister Amanda—often visiting her gravesite to sing to her.

Allen enjoyed riding his motorcycles with his motorcycle club, going fishing on his boat, camping at various campgrounds, traveling to the Smoky Mountains, and spending time with his family, church family and friends, frequently traveling to Chicago, Milwaukee, and Michigan to attend family celebrations big or small. Allen was a very present father who didn’t miss the special moments, whether an awards ceremony, graduation, wedding, births, or birthday celebration. He loved being a grandpa and shared his love of being out in nature with his grandchildren and giving them rides on his motorcycle. As a history buff, he had an unusual obsession with the stories of notorious criminals, even going as far as to visit a museum that showcased Bonnie and Clyde’s bullet ridden car. He especially appreciated Native American history and visited several reservations around the country.

He made us laugh, always finding something amusing about any situation, including his cancer journey. He loved to eat, especially Italian beefs, sweet potato pie, pound cake, and Chop Suey Kitchen’s fried rice and egg foo young on his frequent visits to Chicago. He will always be remembered for the sweet potato pies he baked, singing while strumming his acoustic guitar, recounting stories a thousand and one times with the same enthusiasm each time. To know him was to love him.

He leaves to cherish his memory, father, Benjamin Lee; daughters: Monica (Mark) Miller, Jessica (Gregory) Adams, Tiffany (Philip) Stinnett, and Dara (Demetrius) Weaver; brothers: Benneth (Walonza) Lee and David (Holly) Lee; sisters: Sharon Lacy, Phyllis (Darnell) Kelley, and Jadelia Lee, 17 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, a host of aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and special friends, Larry Tankson, Kevin Williams, Bro. Eddie Hodges, Bro. Eric Jones, Mike Johnson, and Shawn Edwards.