Reverend David W. Lee

Reverend David W. Lee, age 81, of Rutherfordton, NC, died peacefully on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City with his loving wife Sibyl by his side.

David was born on September 18, 1937 in Kearny, Nebraska to the late Reverend Samuel Lee and the late Byrdine Wilcox Lee. He graduated from Hastings High School and attended Hastings College and Duke University. David married his soulmate, Sibyl Ensley McDaniel in 1983 and together, they served many churches in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. David served congregations in McDowell County, Rutherford County, Guilford County and, most recently, Mitchell County. David's ministry spanned over 40 years and yielded several innovative ministries. He established a Hispanic church in Mitchell County over 20 years ago, specifically for migrant workers. In addition, he founded the Community Food Pantry in Mitchell County that served the rural areas of the county for many years. David was a 32nd degree Mason and was a member of the Forest City Masonic Lodge. David was preceded in death by one son, Steve Lee. 

He is survived by his wife:
Sibyl McDaniel Lee. 

Three Daughters: 
Deborah Lee Lybarger and her husband Jeff of San Diego, CA
Julia Lee Jackson, of San Diego, CA
Carolyn Lee Carter and her husband Gary of Grand Island, NE

Two Step sons:
Bill McDaniel and his wife Marcia of Forest City, NC
Benjamin McDaniel and his wife Anna of Boiling Springs, NC

Eight Grandchildren
Will McDaniel, Andrew McDaniel, Kara Powell, Zack Lee, Austin Lybarger, Elizabeth Ortmann, Colton Langer and Gavin Langer

The memorial service will be held on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 3:00 PM at Spindale United Methodist Church, where David was honored to be Pastor Emeritus. Reverend Angela Burris and Reverend Ross O'Neal will be officiating the service. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Monday, April 22, 2019 in the Fellowship Hall. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. 

The Lee family would like to express profound appreication to the nurses and staff of Hospice of the Carolina Foothills for the warm and loving care provided for David as he faced the end of his earthly life with dignity and free of pain. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336 Forest City, NC 28043. An online guest register is available at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com. McMahan's Funeral Home & Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Reverend David W. Lee, please visit our floral store.