This establishment of Wayne T. Lee Funeral Service began with a dream given to Wayne T. Lee, Jr. himself.  His vision was to provide professional, quality and reasonable funeral services to the Columbus community. With a lot of hard work and practically single handedly, it became a reality on June 22, 1980 when the Wayne T. Lee Funeral Service officially opened its door at 1370 East Main Street in Columbus, Ohio.  On that there was a festive Dedication Service which included dignitaries from the community and with many well wishers, family members and friends present.  The original square brick building plotted on three small lots has now increased to almost a city block with newly added chapel and divest operations.  

Lee who grew up on Columbus’ Eastside said he did not anticipate failure when he decided to go into the funeral service business.  Nor did he expect that he’d have an unprecedented 60 plus families coming to him the first year, which happened.  The question then was with the economy in a down swing, why is Lee’s business prospering?  His reply was “We have a funeral service for everybody and every family.”  “We won’t turn anybody down or turn anybody away.”  Lee at the time was only 26 years but his experience was far older than his age suggests.  He became familiar with the funeral business at the age of 15 when he worked for the L & L Ambulance Company, a business owned and operated by his family.  He also did unskilled labor at one of the local funeral homes as a young teen.

Over the years, the Wayne T. Lee Funeral Service prospered and has gained the respect of thousands of families he has had the privilege to serve.  Lee thought fiscal responsibility and sound management would work to his advantage.  Many said he would go broke when he first opened because he offered an unheard of lowest funeral in town at only $699.  He did not agree with these skeptics and said “We’ll use strict control over costs and expenses.  I don’t think that will break us, but help us save money for the families we serve.” 

On December 8, 1991 some 11 years into business, he brought the same dedicated commitment to the Greater Mansfield, Ohio community by opening his second chapel, located at 326 Park Avenue West (downtown Mansfield) in a 4000 square foot all brick building.  Lee was familiar with the area for he served a portion of his apprenticeship there with a local funeral home. Following extensive research he recognized there had been a noticeable increase in the number of minority families going to non minority-owned funeral homes in the area.  This was a driving force for him.  His hope was that the same traditional values of our community could be renewed and he purposed to do his part to contribute positively to this effort.   This goal was achieved and after 10 years faithfully serving the Mansfield community on oft times only four or less hours sleep, with 60 miles between the two owned chapels, Lee passed this establishment on to new ownership.

Not just providing funeral service, but with a commitment to community outreach he has sponsored senior affairs, baseball teams, racing teams, parades, scholarship events, and was the co-founder of “WE CARE” providing help for needy Columbus families during the Christmas Holiday, along with many other community outreach endeavors.  With counselors available to speak to churches, clubs, schools, and other organizations providing information on pre-need and changing trends in funeral service he reaches out.  

Wayne T. Lee Funeral Service continues even today to experience much success.  Though most black owned funeral homes are passed down through the family, Lee was not privileged in this way.  After raising three children in the business, all three are now working along side Lee.  His oldest daughter Juana, a licensed funeral director, and the other siblings, Jason and Brandi work in various areas of operations.  Mrs. Wanetta Lee serves as Pre-Need Administrator and office manager.  The children though during early years never thought they wanted to be a part now say “The family was the business, and the business was the family”. It appears the legacy will live on.

They continue to update its facilities and equipment in an effort to provide professional, courteous, and conscientious service.   With new, fresh, and innovative approaches to funeral service they believe they have set up a business model that will continue for years.