Ely B. 'Lee' Guess, Jr., age 80, passed away surrounded by loved ones on October 26, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents Henrietta St. Pasteur Guess and Ely B. Guess, Sr., and his four sisters Beverly Lowe, Jean Dennis, Joyce Moffatt, and Barbara Ruth.
Lee, affectionately called Papa Lee, is survived by his wife of 42 years Marie Schindler Guess, their children Jennifer Cripps, Amy Walsh (Ed), Ely Guess III (Maggie), his sister Kay Cook, grandchildren Nicholas Zellers, Eamon, Brady, Elsie, and Porter Walsh, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He spent 25 adventurous years as a cab owner and driver in New Orleans before moving to Alabama. Lee was a realtor for many years after retirement and also worked delivering nuclear medication around the state.
Lee was a Boy Scout leader, and after his son aged out, he continued to volunteer at the Mountain South Boy Scout tree lot for 15 years. He served his church community in many ways as a volunteer for the youth group and donut ministry. Most notably, Lee was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus and was recently recognized for being a Knight for 25 years.
He loved history and spending time with his grandchildren. He never met a stranger and always had a story to tell with a twinkle in his eye and a warm, welcoming smile.
Visitation for Lee will be Friday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Prince of Peace Knights of Columbus.
Professional services entrusted to W.E. Lusain Funeral Home and Crematory of Birmingham, Alabama.
