Lee Preston 'Pres' 'Uncle Pres' Foreman, 87

GREENWOOD - Lee Preston "Pres" "Uncle Pres" Foreman, of Greenwood, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Sunday, March 30, 2008, at the Seaford Retirement Center. He was 87.

After serving a very distinguished period in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was awarded the Purple Heart, Preston was honorably discharged and went on to work for his father, John H. Foreman of Greenwood. He drove a truck on a sub-contract his father had with the Greenwood REA, hauling electric poles to the Delmarva Peninsula, bringing modern technology to rural areas.

After this transition period, Preston went on to work for HP Cannon, often also driving trucks when the regulars were on vacation. He remained a steady long-term employee until the operation phased out to Dunn, N.C.

Never being one to stay idle, Preston obtained employment at James H. Thompson in Greenwood, where he remained until retirement.

Preston was an avid gardener (especially pole lima beans), along with his father, John. After his father's death, Preston continued to grow many vegetables in the two-acre family plot, which were frozen, canned and cooked by his sister, Clarice, and then enjoyed by all family members.

Preston could spend many hours watching Western movies, and professional basketball, baseball and horse racing, and he enjoyed collecting comic books. He also had an extensive collection of rock 'n' roll 45 RPM albums from "his day."

From the time of his discharge of service, Preston was also known for having a sporty car which he maintained with pride, but would gladly share with his family and friends if they ever needed transportation. He would even happily offer to give them a ride if required.

Preston was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bridgeville, serving many years on the trustee board.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Foreman and Eliza (Dickerson) Foreman; three sisters, Beatrice (Wolford) Carter, Clarice (Alan) Waters and Dora (BT) Bell; one son, Ronald "Scrap" Taylor; and his longtime, devoted and loving companion, Elizabeth "Liz" Grace.

Left to cherish fond memories are one daughter, Christine Smith of Felton; six sons, Preston (Christine) Grace of Bridgeville, Charles Grace of Wilmington, Jerome Johnson of Bridgeville, Melvin Johnson of Greenwood, Emory Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Alfred (Faye) Johnson of Seaford; two stepsisters, Christine Spady and Lestine Spady of Dover; one stepbrother, Craig Davis of Bridgeville; 11 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews who were raised as close as brothers and sisters, Ginger Bickham, Pauline Carter, Candice and Faith Spady, Alan B. Waters, James (Lynn) Carter, Bryant (Zoe) Bell, Howard Bell, Kevin Bell, Christopher Spady and Craig Davis Jr., as well as a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. He was also survived by a dear lady whom he considered his adopted daughter, Rosa Lee (Billy) Tucker of Greenwood, the daughter of one of his former friends, the late Annie Hopkins.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, where the Rev. Baron Hopkins Sr. will deliver the eulogy. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Interment will be in the Trinity Church Cemetery, and the family will have a repast at Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church in Bridgeville.

Flowers will be accepted at the church Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m.

Professional services by Deborah E. Harris-Nock Funeral Services, Greenwood.