Lee Stamps, Sr.

Lee Russell Stamps Sr. was born to the union of Josie Terrell Stamps and Jacob Stamps, on June 6, 1924, in Hermanville, Mississippi. He was the youngest of eight children. Reared Baptist, he gave his life to Christ and was baptized at an early age. Young Lee Russell Sr. was active in Sunday school and other children's programs. He was educated in the Copiah County school system of Mississippi. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps (the fore-runner to the United States Air Force) in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1946. During his WWII tours of duty in North Africa and Spain, he was in a squadron responsible for loading the bombs on the "Red Tail"- planes piloted by the Tuskegee Airmen. His next military contributions began on May 30, 1946, when he enlisted in the United States Navy. He received an honorable discharge in June of 1948. Lee Russell Sr. joined the United States Air Force in January, 1957 and retired from the Air National Guard as a Senior Master Sargent in December, 1986. While in the in the United States Military he received several medals including a Victory Metal WWII, Good Conduct, and an American Campaign Metal. After his military service Lee Russell settled in Chicago, IL, where he earned two associates degrees from Greer College, one of which was in Metallurgy. When he relocated to Denver Colorado he developed a friendship with Edgar Glenn; who was instrumental in his 1951 induction into The Scottish Rites Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. Freemasons, Lodge # 249. He earned his 33rd degree and became a Shriner. He became a member of New Hope Baptist Church in the early 1950's under the pastorate of Rev. M. C. Williams, where he served on the Adult Usher Board and held the office of treasurer. Also, during the early 1950's he was a regular customer at Chappie's Café, located at 919 E. 22nd Avenue, in Denver. The proprietor Mrs. Classie R. Chapman introduced him to her sister, Mary E. Salter. After a courtship they were married-on April 27, l956. To this union three children were born, Floyd Lee, Jerry Lamar and Rose Marie. In 1981 he united with Peoples Baptist Church under the pastorate of his devoted friend, (who had accepted his call to ministry) Rev. Edgar Glenn. He was ordained and served on the Deacon Board. Several months after Rev. Glenn passed away, he became a member of Good Shepard Baptist Church. He joined on March 3, 2012. He served on the Trustee Board; was a member of the Brotherhood, a regular attendee of Sunday school, and Bible study, until the day before his passing. Lee Russell Sr. was a proponent of education. Not only did he encourage his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other to seek college degrees, he continued his own educational pursuits. He earned Associate degrees in Metallurgy in 1975 and General education in 1977, from Community College of Denver. He earned numerous certifications in auto mechanics, metal welding and painting, including, OJT training Supervisor in 1969, Metal Processing training in 1969, Certification in motor vehicle maintenance in 1975, Heat Treatment and Electroplating of Metals in 1978, and Automotive Electrical Systems in 1980. He was also a body and fender/paint repair instructor multiple years at Emily Griffith Opportunity School . Further, Lee Russell Sr. and his son Floyd Lee were joint entrepreneurs in their body/fender-paint shop, named S&S Auto Body, Inc. They conducted business at 4340 Vine Street for some 25 years. He was also an instructor in this field at Lowry Air Force Base. Lee Russell Sr. deeply loved his entire family and friends. He had a benevolent spirit as evidenced by membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as another organization that visited shut in veterans and provided meals as well as some other basic needs for them. He also provided employment opportunities of interested family members. He was energetic and always busy with constructive activities, until he was called home to be with God, on Monday May, 16, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents Josie Terrell Stamps and Jacob Stamps, four sisters, Emma Stamps Tillman, Nathalia "Downsie", Thelma and Ruby; three brothers, Fred, Alvin "Bush" Spurgeon "Bud" Stamps; and two sons, Lee Russell Jr. and Arnold Stamps. He leaves to cherish and carry forward his legacy, his wife Mary E. Stamps, a daughter Rose M. Stamps; four sons Floyd Lee (Jennifer) Stamps, Roger L., Jerry L. Stamps, and Clifton (Sandra) Grillier; a devoted daughter-in-law, Della Stamps, of Denver, CO; eight grandchildren, Lamar A. Blackwell, Malayah R. Stamps, Darnell and Clifton Grillier III, Janae and Shenea Stamps all of Denver, CO, Grace C. Stamps of Ft. Collins CO and Shawna (Thaddius) Powell, of Memphis, TN; three great-grandchildren Thaddius Jr., Meciah, and Danielle Powell, all of Memphis, TN; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 5/25/2016 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 5/26/2016 at 11:00 AM - New Hope Baptist Church - 3700 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 5/26/2016 at 2:15:00 PM Following the Services Fort Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO