Alexander Lee

was born on December 12, 1914 on the Reservation. He was the youngest child of John H. Lee Sr. and Martha Ella Taylor. Although he left the Reservation at age 7, he continued to tell his parents' stories of the Reservation throughout his life.

Alexander Lee
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Alexander graduated from the James City County Training School in 1933.

As a young man during the difficult years of the Depression, Alexander Lee attempted to gain admission to the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp (CCC Camp), which was a voluntary government relief program from 1933-1942. However, as family members explain in this clip, his family's ability to build self-sufficiency, as they had in the Reservation, meant that this governmetn relief was reserved for other families.

Mr. Curtis Lassiter, Mrs. Christine James, and Ms. Mary Lassiter
Source: Oral History conducted by Amy Quark and Molly Robinson, April 24, 2022, The Village Initiative Collection

In 1933, Alexander Lee found work building the Colonial Parkway linking Williamsburg and Yorktown. He then spent some time working at the Inn at Colonial Williamsburg when he was called with a job offer at the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station.

Even though his family was displaced from the Reservation for the establishment of the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Alexander Lee began working there in 1938. He was hired to help build bombs in the Ordnance Department.

In a 1984 oral history, Alexander recalled that Black employees like himself started in "common labor" positions, although their responsibilities were often significant. Black employees "handled explosives, and Blacks couldn't, at that time," Alexander explained, "be supervisors, but they ran the jobs." In short, the Black laborers not only handled the dangerous explosives and melted TNT - they also ran the operation and saw their white supervisors as "straw bosses."

Alexander worked at the Naval Weapons Station for 32 years and retired as a supervisor in 1970.

Source: Alexander Lee (1984:7)

Employees puring hot, liquified Torpex into torpedo warheads, Yorktown Navy Mine Depot, circa WWII
Source: WWII Yearbook, Yorktown Mine Depot
Coutesy: Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Alexander Lee
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Despite the deep sacrifice his family had made during World War I, Alexander was willing to serve his country again in World War II. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy.

Alexander Lee, WWII draft registration card
Courtesy: Bernie Vaughan
Source: Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

In this oral history excerpt, descendants recall Alexander Lee's working life, stature in the community, and character.

Mr. Curtis Lassiter, Mrs. Christine James, and Ms. Mary Lassiter
Source: Oral History conducted by Amy Quark and Molly Robinson, April 24, 2022, The Village Initiative Collection

A Beloved Family Member

Alexander Lee married Ella Mae Hawkins. He later married Laurestine Travers. Alexander had two daughters, Mary and Lauren.

Alexander and Laurestine (Travers) Lee
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Despite growing up amidst the hardship of relocation, Alexander Lee carried on the legacy of importance of family that was forged in the Reservation. In the oral history clips below, descendants give many examples of the selfless ways that Alexander helped his siblings, neices, and nephews, garnering their deep respect.

Photo: Ezekiel and Alexander Lee, courtesy The Lee Family

Mr. Curtis Lassiter, Mrs. Christine James, and Ms. Mary Lassiter
Source: Oral History conducted by Amy Quark and Molly Robinson, April 24, 2022, The Village Initiative Collection

Whether by building houses together or attending recitals, Alexander Lee was remembered as showing up for his family.

Mr. Curtis Lassiter, Mrs. Christine James, and Ms. Mary Lassiter
Source: Oral History conducted by Amy Quark and Molly Robinson, April 24, 2022, The Village Initiative Collection

Alexander Lee also honored his family's history in the Reservation community by continuing to tell their stories. He was interviewed by the Smithsonian Institution, William & Mary, and the James City County Historical Commission regarding his family's and the region's history.

Tribute to Alexander Lee as guardian of family history by Mary Lassiter

Active Community Members

Throughout his life, Alexander Lee continued the sense of community that the Reservation cultivated. He was a lifelong and dedicated member of St. John Baptist Church where he served as trustee for many years, superintendent of the Sunday school, vice chairman of the Building Committee, chairman of the church's bus transportation, and member of the Cemetery committee.

Beyond the church, Alexander served in the leadership of many community organizations. To name just a few, this included being a member of the Holy Royal Arch Masons, serving as treasurer and chairman of the Political Civic League, and serving as site manager for the York-Poquoson Food Commodity Program.

Laurestine was also civically active. She was member of the church and served as Sunday school treasurer and a member of Missionary Circle, Pastor's Aide and Nurses' Aide. She was also a member of the Household of Ruth and the Pride of Grove Order of the Eastern Star, among other community organizations. She served as a board member of the local NAACP and chair of the membership committee.

Volunteers distribute food, Site Manager Alexander Lee, newsclipping
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Alexander and Laurestine Lee (center) with community organization
Courtesy: The Lee Family

To recognize his civic contributions, Alexander Lee Parkway was named in his honor.

Alexander Lee Parkway
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Alexander and Laurestine Lee
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Laurestine Lee passed away on May 29, 1994. Alexander Lee followed on September 3, 2000 at the age of 85.

Photos courtesy: The Lee family

Alexander Lee and Laurestine Lee, obituaries
Courtesy: The Lee Family

Fannie Lee Dixon and and Laurestine Lee
Courtesy: The Lee Family