Archie Lea, affectionately known to friends and family as "FatBay," son of the late Ruffin Lea & Minnie Chandler Lea, entered this earthly life on April 16, 1925. After the passing of his father, Ruffin Lea, his mother, Minnie Lea united in marriage with Henry "Boss" Poole who nurtured and raised Archie into a gentle, caring young man. Archie stepped into eternity to be with our Lord, Jesus, on June 9, 2019, having lived 94 years. Born in Leasburg in Caswell County, North Carolina, Archie attended Caswell County schools and worked alongside of his parents in the farming industry. On November 21, 1945, Archie joined the U. S. Army and served his country during World War II completing two tours of duty. He was united in marriage with Sallie Mae Poole on March 18, 1946. To that union, nine children were born – seven sons and two daughters. The family moved from Leasburg, NC to Greensboro, NC in 1959. Archie accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Beulah Baptist Church. He attended as his health and the health of his wife Sallie, would allow. Archie Lea loved his wife, children, and the entirety of his extended family. He was a quiet, gentle man who stood for always doing your best and doing the right thing. You could catch him saying "Right-O!" when things went well. He was an excellent provider for his family, sometimes working as many as three jobs at a time. He retired from Brame Industries and the City of Greensboro. Archie always exhibited behavior that would positively impact his children, family and friends for years to come. He fried The BEST chicken in the world, drawing a multitude of family and friends from miles away! Archie and Sallie Mae truly lived out Matthew 25:40 - no one ever came to the Lea house with a need that Archie and Sallie Mae did not try to meet. If you were hungry - they fed you, if you needed financial support - they helped as they were able, if you needed a bed - a place was made for you, and if you just needed to talk - you always found a listening ear. Archie was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sallie Mae; son, Floyd M. Lea; daughter, Phyllis E. Ingram; grandsons: Tay Ingram and Jeffery Downs; and granddaughter, Naomi Lea. He leaves to cherish his memory, his children Archie Burton (Vernestine) of Jonesboro, GA; Richard Huston (Vedesa) of Raleigh, NC; Jennifer L. Marion of Asheville, NC; Kelvin Ervin & Kenneth Earl of the home; Stanley Leonard (Deborah) of Oak Ridge, NC; and Wayne Shelton (Pak) of Fayetteville, NC; 16 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; a sister Mabel L. Thompson; sister-in-law, Clara Faulkner; and brothers-in-law Clayton Poole Jr. and Earl Poole; along with a great host of relatives and friends.

A service honoring his life will be held on Saturday June 15, 2019 in the Cassie Coote-Brown Chapel of Perry J. Brown Funeral Home, 909 East Market Street in Greensboro, NC. The visitation is at 10:30am, the service will begin at 11am with burial to follow in the Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery in Leasburg, North Carolina.