Thomas Crittenden Lee
"Tom","Hoss"

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BORN: February 8, 1925

Thomas Crittenden Lee was born February 8, 1925 at Mitchells, Virginia, the seventh child (sixth son) to Robert and Harriet Lee. He spent most of his childhood on the family farm at Bristersburg, and he graduated from Calverton High School in 1943, along with his brothers C.D., Fitzhugh and Briscoe.

Tom married Joyce Mae Jacobs of Sumerduck on June 20, 1953 at Mount Holly Baptist Church near Remington, Virginia. The Rev. C. J. Ashley performed the wedding. After a honeymoon trip to Niagara Falls, New York, the newlyweds lived for about one year in Arlington, then eventually settled into a beautiful "starter" home in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1954. They are still looking for their second home.

During their years in Fredericksburg, Tom and Joyce raised six children (five sons, one daughter): Wilbur, Wesley, Kevin, Keith, Annette and Jason. It is still not clear to this day how they were able to raise 6 kids in a 2-bedroom, 1 bathroom house, but they all made it out ok!

Tom, Joyce and their children were very active in church activities. Tom was treasurer of Sumerduck Baptist Church for over 30 years, and served as Deacon, Trustee and Sunday School teacher. He was also instrumental in building an addition to the church which contained indoor restrooms. The whole family participated in summer homecomings and revivals, Christmas programs and many other events in the life of the church. The family also helped to keep the church lawn and cemetery grounds mowed and trimmed for many years.

Tom worked at the FMC cellophane plant in Fredericksburg for 30 years until it closed down in 1978. He then worked for a Fredericksburg contractor, J. L. Kent & Sons, as a crane operator for another 18 years before retiring to yard work and travel in 1996.

Joyce stayed at home and raised the children, changing diapers, cooking meals, cleaning the house, asking questions and washing hands.

With an empty nest since 1998, Tom and Joyce enjoy working in their yard, taking day trips to shopping hubs such as Culpeper and Tappahannock, and visiting with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

When Tom and Joyce celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003, they became the 8th of Robert F. and Harriet Lee's 11 children to achieve that feat.