Walter Lee Eames, Sr.

March 4, 1932 — October 30, 2026

Rocky Mount

Walter Lee Eames, Sr., age 94 passed into eternity Friday, October 30, 2026. He was a lifelong resident of Franklin County, Virginia having worked for the Telephone company for 42 years. He was a founding member of the Franklin County Rescue Squad and an honored lifetime member.

Lee taught Sunday School at Furnace Creek Baptist Church for many years and served as a Deacon there. He was a Master Mason, Worshipful Master and District Deputy of the Rocky Mount Masonic Lodge. His legacy as a community servant had many facets.

He could repair almost anything. Many friends and neighbors benefited from his work as a builder. He wired many people’s homes, fixed their electronic equipment, automobiles and much more. In the early days of NASCAR, he raced for several years and won track championships across the region before his 4 children were born.

With distinction, he was a Sergeant in the US National Guard, 29th Infantry for 8 years.

Lee wrote songs which were published and played across America. Dozens of his family members and friends received poems which he wrote and which they cherished.

At one of the local nursing homes where he visited, residents called him “the ‘Mater man” as he handed out many bags of cherry tomatoes and produce from his big garden which he kept in diligence.

Above all, Lee Eames was a devout Christian who read the Bible from cover to cover 14 times. He and his bride Doris Hodges Eames celebrated 68 years of marriage. He was a loving husband, father and “Papa” who generously shared his love and joy of family life as a leader and Mentor.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Cathy Eckermann (Dan), Wanda Dalton, Lee Eames, Jr. and Joe Eames (Cheryl); grandchildren, Katie Holcomb (Josh), Ashlee Matthews (Tripp), Madeline Eckermann, Martin Eckermann and Jon Dalton; great-grandchildren, Hazlee Roberts and James Matthews IV.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 7 siblings who made their home in Sontag.

Funeral services will be held at Flora Funeral Chapel, 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2026 with Pastors Joe Dillon, Mike Lawhorn and Lee Eames, Jr. officiating. His family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.

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