- — On Sunday, June 3, 2012, Harold Lee Cartee departed this world to be with the Lord. He was born June 1, 1925, in Phil Campbell, Ala., to Robert E. and Molly Cartee. He attended high school in Phil Campbell, Ala., then transferred to Sylacauga High School to play football and graduate. After graduation, Harold joined the Army Air Corp as a radio operator, mechanic and a gunner in a B-25. He was in the 69th Bombardment Squadron. Harold was proud of his service in the Army Air Corps and loved keeping up with the members of his crew. His stories were numerous and humorous. It was during WWII that his eyes fell upon the most beautiful woman in the Womens Air Corp, Virginia Christine Reed. They were soon married and were inseparable for the next 66 years. After the war, Harold felt called to serve the Lord. He graduated from the Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas as a Minister of Music and devoted the rest of his life to serving the Lord through his music and Christian example. Many of the amazing Ministers of Music in churches throughout the nation today are still “singing his praises.”
Harold is survived by his wife of 66 years, Virginia “Chris” Cartee; his two daughters, Sandra Lee Cartee of Tallahassee, Fla., and Brenda Cartee Lee of Thomasville, Ga.; his brother, Dr. Robert Earl Cartee of Chochranton, Pa.; two sisters, Ruby Powell of Lynnfield, Mass., and Ann Creasman (Dr. Beecher Creasman) of Birmingham, Ala. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Christy Taylor (Eric) of Chattahoochee, Fla. and Donnie Griesheimer (Stephanie) of Tallahassee, Fla. Harold was very proud of his five great-grandchildren, Erica and Claire Taylor, and Tres, Bayne, and Elliott Griesheimer. He loved and appreciated his dear friends from East Hill Baptist and his extended family members in Tallahassee, Fla., and throughout the United States.
Harold was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved telling stories of his youth, his service in WWII in the Philippines, and his travels on numerous trips as a church missionary in Alaska and South America. The “greatest generation” has lost another member who, through his service to our country, allows us the continued freedoms of speech and religion that we enjoy today.
A memorial service for Harold will be held at Culley’s Meadowwood Chapel, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Fla., 32312 on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at 11 a.m. A reception will be held immediately after the service.
The Cartee family would like to express gratitude to Big Bend Hospice for the hours of loving compassion and comfort provided to Harold and the family.
If you would like to make a donation in Harold’s name, please contact Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mayhan Center Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32308. (850) 878-5310. — Culley’s Meadowwood Chapel, Tallahassee, Fla.
