Robert Lee, Jr. Obituary

Robert Edward Lee, Jr., of Petersburg, Virginia, disappeared in April 2015. For approximately a decade, a long-term local, regional, and prayerful, search continued with the hope of finding him. Eventually, detectives notified the family on June 14, 2024 that the part of the human remains found near his home, was a positive DNA match.

Robert, a life-long resident of Petersburg, Virginia, was known for his kind and friendly spirit, and his dedication to visiting daily a family member or two. He was born August 7, 1951, to the late Robert Edward Lee, Sr., and Viola Carter Lee. Robert lost both of his biological parents at an early age. Nevertheless, God still had a unique plan for his life. God allowed his beloved uncle and aunt, Lonnie Battle, Sr. and Lula Carter Battle to fill that role as they included him as one of their own children from age five to an adult. 

Robert received his formal education from the Petersburg Public School System. He attended Giles B. Cook Elementary School, Peabody Middle School, and was a proud graduate of the Peabody High School Class of 1970.

For an extensive amount of time, Robert was employed in Petersburg with the Richardson Cab Company. His life-long aspiration and dream was to become a long-distance eighteen-wheeler truck driver and travel across the country. Members of the family called him Robert Jr., but most of the community knew him as “Rock.”

In addition to the deaths of his biological parents, Robert E. Lee, Sr., and Viola C. Lee, Robert was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ruth Lee and his beloved uncle and aunt, Lonnie Sr. and Lula C. Battle, and his cousin-brother, Friendly Battle, Sr.,  Robert leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted sisters, Pastor Elaine Lee Buford (Apostle Linwood Buford, Sr.) of Dover, DE\, Patricia L. Johnson of Richmond, VA; four nephews, Linwood Buford, Jr. (Joy) of Lexington, NC, Lamont Buford (Ayisha) of Seattle, WA, Lowell Buford (Ngozi) of Middleton, DE, and Brandon Johnson (Juanisha) of Petersburg, VA; a great nephew, Aman Johnson of Petersburg, VA, as well as, many other loving cousins, family members, and close friends. 

Robert will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. We who remain still have that blessed hope in knowing that some glad morning when this life is over, we, too, will “Fly Away!” to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! We love you, Robert Jr.! Rest in Peace!

A service of love and remembrance will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 26, 2025, in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Herbert W. Anderson, eulogist.  The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

The family will assemble 10:30 A.M. the day of the service at the funeral establishment. 

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.