Elder James Janion Lee

June 20, 1945 - November 24, 2020

Elder James Janion Lee, son of the late Mr. James Cosby and Rev. Bessie Mae Kelley, was born, sunrise, on June 20, 1945, in Athens, Alabama. In 1965, James relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, where he lived for over 50 years before returning to Huntsville, Alabama, in June 2018. His sunset was completed on November 24, 2020, at Regency Retirement Center in Huntsville, Alabama. James was a U.S. Army Veteran who served from February 29, 1968 until April 17, 1973, including a 1-year tour of duty in Vietnam from November 8, 1970 through November 7, 1971. In 1975, he established a trade of pipefitting and welding, becoming one of the first African American pipefitters in Kentucky. After working over 30 years with the Pipefitters Local 522 in Louisville he retired in 2005. James was a gifted car mechanic, a connoisseur of nice cars, and a jack of all trades. James was preceded in death by his three brothers Sylvester Cosby, James Cosby and Tommy Townsend Jr., as well as two stepbrothers Ernest Lee Hardin and Robert Owens Hardin. He leaves to treasure his warmest memories to his "Magnificent Seven" daughters, Edna "Lee" Phillips (Charles) of Huntsville, AL, Annie Crutcher (James) of Madison, AL, their loving sister Sharon Clemons (Bobby) of Madison, AL, whom James claimed as a daughter, Mona Mashack (Curtis), Cheakita Webster (Aaron), Tasha Garrett (Anthony) of Louisville, KY, Shearease Lee Stoner (Brian) of Atlanta GA, and Tracy Wilson (Otis) of Houston, TX. James leaves fond memories with his favorite Aunt, Dorothy Mae Lee of Athens, and nine siblings, Lawrence W. Cosby, of Athens, AL, Elaine Cosby, Velma Simmons, Ernest Hardin, Jr. of Louisville, KY, Maggie Wright of Dallas, TX, Mary Hardin-Hill (Thomas), Brenda Hardin of Louisville, KY, Darrell Hardin (Toni) of Nashville, TN and Betsy Kelley of Louisville, KY. He also leaves a legacy cherished with his 20 grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, family, and friends. Private Services will be held Monday, November 30, 2020 at Sweet Leaf United Primitive Baptist Church, 1814 Cedar St. He will be laid to rest at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven, in Louisville, KY.