Shade Meshack Lee

Retired Master Sergeant Shade Meshack Lee, age 95 of Buford, GA and Elizabeth, NJ passed away, Friday, October 7th , 2016 in a peaceful sleep. Shade was born one of thirteen children of Aubrey and Mahalie Lee, June 5, 1921 in Daleville, Alabama. He served twice in the military, first in the U.S. Army Air Corps, then in the U.S. Air Force. He was a proud member of the Tuskegee Airmen. After twenty plus years of military service, Shade enjoyed a long successful career as an electrical engineer retiring at the end of his career from NBC Studios in New York City. In retirement, he became a public speaker preserving the history of the Airmen for younger generations. On March 29, 2007 the Tuskegee Airmen collectively were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush. He consulted on the role of the Tuskegee Airmen in the war effort for the movie "Red Tails" released in 2012 and he along with other Tuskegee Airmen were featured in People magazine. Shade and his six brothers received recognition from the United States government for being one of two families to have seven active duty sons contributing to the World War II war effort.

He is predeceased by his daughter, Dr. Marilyn Lee.

Shade leaves behind the love of his life, his wife of sixty three years, Mary Lou Lee; sister, Lois Longus; brother, Houston Lee, his two surviving children, Karla Manners, Esq. (Anthony Manners) and Phyllis Patterson (Tyrone Patterson) and his seven grandchildren, Michael, Tiffani, Tatiana, Tai, Joshua, Jillian, Julie and many nieces and nephews. His will be missed by many.

Shade's life celebration service will be held on Friday, October 14 at 12:00pm. Friends and Family may gather between 10:00am and 12:00pm at A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home, 2773 N. Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA. 30033.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.



Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033