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'''Afton M. Lee Sr''' (born c. [[1896]]; died [[October 30]], [[1989]]) was a prominent businessman and land owner in the [[Birmingham District]].
[[File:Afton Lee Sr.jpg|right|thumb|Afton Lee Sr]]
'''Afton M. Lee Sr''' (born c. [[1898]]; died [[October 30]], [[1989]]) was a prominent businessman and land owner in the [[Birmingham District]].


Lee was the son of [[Damon Lee]], a former slave who settled in [[Rosedale]] in the 1890s. Damon became a wealthy man and upon his death Afton inherited large tracts of land in Rosedale, [[Center Point]], and [[Riverchase]].
Lee was the son of [[Damon Lee]], a former slave who settled in [[Rosedale]] in the 1890s and operated the successful [[Damon Lee & Sons]] grocery store. Damon prospered and accumulated substantial real estate holdings in Rosedale and [[Center Point]], and in the area later developed as [[Riverchase]].


Afton Lee ran [[Afton Lee Grocery]], the grocery store founded by his father in Rosedale, most of his life, but he was also active beyond it.  He helped revitalize the [[4th Avenue North|4th Avenue]] black business district. In [[1968]], Lee became the first African American elected to the [[Homewood City Council]].
Afton Lee grew up in his father's store while attending [[Industrial High School]] in [[Birmingham]]. Lee was married to Annie Bean Lee in [[1921]]. Together the couple had six children, including [[Myrtle Lee Tinsley|Myrtle]], Reginald, and Robert M.


Lee was struck on the head during a robbery of his grocery store in [[1989]] by Teddy Roberts, Jr and Bobby Grier.  He was found in one of the store's coolers and [[List of homicides in 1989|died]] two hours later. Roberts and Grier were separately convicted and both sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Lee took over management of the business when his father died in [[1922]]. After the elder Lee died, Afton changed the name to the [[Afton Lee Grocery]]. In the late 1920s the store was patronized by white and Black customers.


The [[Afton Lee Community Center]] was named in Lee's honor, as was the Afton Lee Award of the [[A. G. Gaston Conference]] Awards. On [[September 18]], [[2007]], Lee was posthumously inducted into the [[Birmingham Business Hall of Fame]].
He helped revitalize the [[4th Avenue North|4th Avenue]] black business district. In [[1968]], Lee became the first African American elected to the [[Homewood City Council]].
 
Lee was struck on the head during a robbery of his grocery store in [[1989]] by Teddy Roberts Jr and Bobby Grier. He was found in one of the store's coolers and [[List of homicides in 1989|died]] two hours later. Roberts and Grier were separately convicted and each was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
 
The [[Afton Lee Community Center]] was named in Lee's honor, as was the Afton Lee Award of the [[A. G. Gaston Conference]] Awards. On [[September 18]], [[2007]], Lee was posthumously inducted into the [[Birmingham Business Hall of Fame]].


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== References ==
== References ==
* "Mr. Afton L. Lee" (December 22, 1928) ''[[Birmingham Reporter]]'', p. 9
* ''[http://www.leagle.com/decision/19911381589So2d792_11320.xml/GRIER%20v.%20STATE Grier v. State]'' (CR 90-375).  (October 11, 1991).  Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama - accessed June 3, 2011.
* ''[http://www.leagle.com/decision/19911381589So2d792_11320.xml/GRIER%20v.%20STATE Grier v. State]'' (CR 90-375).  (October 11, 1991).  Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama - accessed June 3, 2011.
* Hubbard, Russell. (September 18, 2007). "Kiwanis induct 5 area leaders." {{BN}}.
* Hubbard, Russell. (September 18, 2007). "Kiwanis induct 5 area leaders." {{BN}}.
* Crawford, Cindy. (September 18, 2007). "[http://birmingham.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2007/09/17/daily9.html Five inducted in 'Birmingham Business Hall of Fame']." {{BBJ}}.
* Crawford, Cindy. (September 18, 2007). "[http://birmingham.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2007/09/17/daily9.html Five inducted in 'Birmingham Business Hall of Fame']." {{BBJ}}.


{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Afton Sr}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Afton Sr}}
[[Category:1896 births]]
[[Category:1898 births]]
[[Category:1989 deaths]]
[[Category:1989 deaths]]
[[Category:Grocers]]
[[Category:Grocers]]

Latest revision as of 12:29, 16 August 2020

Afton Lee Sr

Afton M. Lee Sr (born c. 1898; died October 30, 1989) was a prominent businessman and land owner in the Birmingham District.

Lee was the son of Damon Lee, a former slave who settled in Rosedale in the 1890s and operated the successful Damon Lee & Sons grocery store. Damon prospered and accumulated substantial real estate holdings in Rosedale and Center Point, and in the area later developed as Riverchase.

Afton Lee grew up in his father's store while attending Industrial High School in Birmingham. Lee was married to Annie Bean Lee in 1921. Together the couple had six children, including Myrtle, Reginald, and Robert M.

Lee took over management of the business when his father died in 1922. After the elder Lee died, Afton changed the name to the Afton Lee Grocery. In the late 1920s the store was patronized by white and Black customers.

He helped revitalize the 4th Avenue black business district. In 1968, Lee became the first African American elected to the Homewood City Council.

Lee was struck on the head during a robbery of his grocery store in 1989 by Teddy Roberts Jr and Bobby Grier. He was found in one of the store's coolers and died two hours later. Roberts and Grier were separately convicted and each was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The Afton Lee Community Center was named in Lee's honor, as was the Afton Lee Award of the A. G. Gaston Conference Awards. On September 18, 2007, Lee was posthumously inducted into the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame.

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