RALEIGH - Ernest Loyd “Ernie” Lee Sr., 73, died Friday, Oct. 17, 2008 at his home. Funeral services were Sunday, Oct. 19, at Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bill Bowyer officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

He was born in Johnston County to the late T. R. Lee and Lena Faison Lee. He and his family opened Ernie Lee’s Service Center in 1972 and expanded and opened Wake Cross Roads Express in 2005. Surviving: his wife, Nola Hagwood Lee; son, E. L. Lee (Roxanne) of Wake Forest; daughter, Charlotte Thaxton (Jeff) of Franklinton; siblings, Raymond Lee (Jean), Joyce Blackley (Ernest), Percy Lee (Joyce), George Lee (Cathie), Fred Lee (Texie), Hubert Lee (Bonnie), all of Clayton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Ray, Proctor, Troy and Ricky Lee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church Building Fund, 3329 Forestville Road, Raleigh, NC 27616. Arrangements by L. Harold Poole Funeral Service and Crematory, Knightdale. Condolences to the family may be made at www.poolefuneral.com under Obituaries.