Lee Jackson Ryals
Class of 1947

Suffolk - Lee Jackson Ryals, Jr., 87, passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2014. He was born in Benson, NC to the late Velma and Lee J. Ryals, Sr. He was direct descendant of the Confederate Veterans and a recipient of the Cross of Military Service by the United Daughters of the Conferacy. He was a WWII U.S. Army veteran and served with the 11th Airborne in the Pacific and with the occupational forces in Japan. He was a member of American Legion Post #310, Masonic Lodge West Point #238, Scottish Rite Bodies Portsmouth, Royal Arch Chapter York Rite #59, Khedive Temple Chesapeake, Chesapeake Shrine Club and was a captain with the Arab Patrol. He is predeceased by his first wife of 52 years, Edna Myrtle Ryals; a sister, Willie Mae Feimster; three brothers, Rufus W. Ryals, Joseph Charles Ryals and Ronnie B. Ryals; and one nephew, Ronnie Ryals, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Hicks Ryals; two step-sons, Robert Lewis Hicks and Lloyd Hunter Hicks and wife Catherine; three nieces, Pamela Tubbs, Peggy Parks and Kristin Ryals; two nephews, Davey Ryals and Greg Ryals; two step-grandchildren, John Robert Hicks and wife Kelsey and Elizabeth Kate Hicks; and one step-great granddaughter, Emma Katelynn Hicks.

A funeral service will be held 1 P.M. Monday, August 11, at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel by the Rev. Waverly Smith. Burial with military honors will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 6 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Jolliff United Methodist Church.

www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com