Joseph C. Lee, affectionately known as Joe, was born on October 10, 1974, in Tampa, Florida, to Columbus and Rosia Lee. Joe was a man full of life and laughter. He had a passion for driving trucks and an effortless ability to make everyone around him laugh—often without even trying. He cherished time spent with family and friends, especially during cookouts, where his presence always lit up the gathering. One of Joe's favorite pastimes was playfully aggravating his sister, Vicki—just to see what she was cooking. His humor, warmth, and easygoing spirit made him unforgettable to all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Columbus and Rosia Lee; his grandparents; brother, Horace Lee; brothers-in-law, Vincent Hopps, Sr., and Herman Jones; and nephews, Brian Carswell and Bill Brown.

He leaves cherished memories to his children, Le'Andre Lee, Shanequa Lee, Reginald Calhoun, Jaleesa Lee, Joseph Lee, Jr., Joliyah Lee, Ja'Nyhia Lee, and Ziakeaus Harvey; grandchildren, Grayson Lee, Devin Williams, Jr., Devion Williams, George Scott, Jai'onna Scott, A'sharii Henderson, Wenford Isaacs, Jah'Trell Calhoun, Fredrick Davis, and Ryan Mills, Jr.; brothers, Jerrell Lee, Keith Lee (Mae), Greg Lee, Kenneth Lee (Ranita), David Lee, Sr. and Chris Lee (Consuela); sisters, Ruthetta Mitchell (Sandy), Annette Lee-Jones, Sheila Marshall (Robert), and Vicki Lee Hopps; aunt, Gwen Scott; nieces, Kim Newsome, Joannie Howell (Pastor Patrick Howell), Nicole Lee, Dominique Hopps, Shantae Hopps (Esperanza), Valencia Hopps, Ebony Hopps, Vintoria Hopps (Stormy), Mariah Henderson, Vinquandria Hopps "Pretty", Laila Hopps, Charmaine Lee, Kierra Rogers, Rosalyn Jenkins, Brinae Lee, and Jai'maria Gardner; special great-niece, Heaven Hopps; nephews, Jerrell Lee, Jr. (Shantara), Darrell Lee, Justin Lee, Brandon Carswell, Dimontario Hopps, Sr., Vince Hopps, Willie A. Hopps, Tremayne Hopps, Vincent Hopps, Jr., David Lee, Jr., Deaudre Lee, Daryn Lee, and Romelle Turner; godsister, Freda Floyd; along with a host of grieving family, friends, and loved ones.