Clifton Bridgers Lee

Mr. Clifton Bridgers Lee, 83, of Clemmons, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2009. He was born July 2, 1925 in Norfolk VA to Robert Haughton and Louise Bridgers Lee. Cliff grew up in Norfolk, VA where his father was a handmade cigar maker who owned and operated Lee's Handmade Cigars in a shop behind their home. As a young boy, Cliff had a paper route and delivered telegrams by bicycle in Norfolk. To facilitate his little business, he bought a mail order engine and motorized his bicycle starting a life long fascination with, and a hobby of, motorizing bikes while also providing him with the transportation for his first dates. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard as soon as he graduated from High School and served as a Quartermaster aboard an anti-submarine patrol craft off the coast of New England and in the North Atlantic off the coast of Canada during World War Two. In an unusual twist of fate, his Sunday school teacher from Norfolk served as his commanding officer for a period during the war. After he completed his service to his country in November 1946, Cliff married Betty Bates, who lived next door to his parents, and they settled down in Virginia Beach, VA where he worked until retiring to Clemmons, NC in the early 1990's. A successful salesman, Cliff worked in a variety of sales positions over the years including regional distribution for Platex, wholesale food distribution and, finally, as a salesman at Beach Ford, in Virginia Beach. He left a trail of satisfied customers and repeat business. An avid fisherman in his spare time, Cliff owned many boats over the years and was frequently on the Chesapeake Bay as the sun came up so he could make it home with fish for breakfast. He was also an avid classic movie buff and an extraordinary dancer who kept Betty and later, his daughter and his granddaughters on the dance floor on and off for over 62 years. After retirement, he was the elder statesman of the family, giving advice from, and holding court in, his worn green recliner, all the while, in firm control of the remote and at the ready with an opinion or some insight on just about any topic - particularly classic movies, cars or history. The recliner is empty now but Cliff's solid advice, his passion for knowledge, his unparalleled candor, his fondness of fishing and dancing and the love and security he provided to his family as a husband, father and brother lives on in the memories of all those who knew and loved him. He will always be missed but never forgotten. Surviving Cliff are his wife, Betty Lou Bates Lee of the home; a daughter, Susan L. Dorsey and husband Gordon of Mount Holly; a son Robert C. Lee and wife Theresa of New Bern; four granddaughters - Dawn, Melissa, Rebecca and Katie; one great grandson - Daryl - and a sister, Jane Williams and husband Bernie. To celebrate Cliff's life and accomplishments, the family will receive friends and relatives from 2:00 until 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June, 13, 2009 at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel and other times at the home of Mrs. Lee. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com.

Memorials:
Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103

Visitation:
02:00pm - 03:30pm on June 13, 2009 at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel

Service:
Service at 12:00am on January 1, 1970 at No Services Planned