CJ Lee

CJ Lee, age 18, passed away Monday, October 9, 2023. He was a native and lifelong resident of Bulloch County and a member of Grace Community Church.  CJ was a 2023 honor graduate of Portal High School and was enrolled at Ogeechee Technical College where he was continuing his education in Criminal Justice. Our CJ has been preparing himself for several years to live his life to help others, he was born with a heart for service. CJ was so proud to be the Sergeant of the Explorers Program with our local Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department. He enlisted with the Marines, and we were on a countdown for his departure to boot camp in January. CJ came from a loving family where he was the best big brother to all of his siblings, and the heart and soul of his parents and grandparents. He was proud of his roots and loved being a South Georgia country boy. CJ was a very loud and happy young man with the most beautiful blue eyes, contagious smile and a laugh that was like no other! He was very loyal and patriotic and was so excited about all of his future adventures. We are very proud that our CJ touched so many lives in his 18 years here with us, and even after his passing he continued to help others with the gift of life by being an organ donor.

Survivors include his parents, JJ (Bailey) Lee, Vikki Bray (Clayton Rushing); his brothers, Cooper Lee and Jackson Rushing; his sisters, Stella and Lilly Lee; his paternal grandparents, Terry and Mary Lee, all of Statesboro; his maternal grandparents, Cindy and Gerald Arnold of Suwanee, GA; and a large extended family of step grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at Deal Funeral Directors.

The funeral service will be held Friday, October 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Grace Community Church with Rev. Mike Holt Rev. Tyler Woodson officiating.

Active pallbearers will be Cooper Lee, Jackson Rushing, Laine Miller, Micah Williams, Ivan Washington, LJ Jones, and Kole Ward.

Honorary pallbearers will be Branson Jones, Turner Jones, Trey Percell, Craig Ware, Matthew Cline, and Michael Hogan.

Interment will follow in Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family would like to extend our deep appreciation to Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department Explorer’s Club, our community, church, and Portal Middle High School for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. Also, a heartfelt thanks to Memorial Medical Center, ORC at Piedmont and LifeLink for the excellent care provided for CJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to http://www.gofundme.com/f/cj-lee or to the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program

Deal Funeral Directors of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.