1936-2024
The Genesis of Lee Jewell Randle Sr.’s life was January 30, 1936. He was the first-born of the late Willie and Leonia Randle. On December 3, 2024, Our Heavenly Father called him to his eternal rest.
Lee Jewell confessed a hope in Christ at an early age. His membership at St. Peter’s Rock MBC in Pine Bluff spanned 50 years. There he was a member of the Men’s Bible Class and served as a Deacon and Trustee.
Growing up in the small town of Taylor, AR., Lee Jewell (LJ) developed great aspirations of entrepreneurship. Born during the “The Great Depression” the eldest of 8 children, his formal education ended prematurely at the age of 9 and then his work life began…AND WORK HE DID! He developed a tenacious work ethic that endured into his early 80s.
Between the ages of 9 and 16, LJ hauled hay, picked cotton, chauffeured people with disabilities, and worked many odd jobs to help support his family.
At the age of 16 he began his career at International Paper in Springhill, LA. Interestingly, he was underage, but because he was such a good worker, he would boast that his adolescence was ignored by his supervisors.
After being relocated by International Paper Company to the “big city” of Pine Bluff in the late 1950s, he sharpened his building skills by taking an apprenticeship with his mentor, Mr. Willie Jack. Under his tutelage, he became a Master Brick Mason and excellent carpenter. LJ perfected his leadership skills at International Paper and retired as a Foreman in 1994. He often said, “I never missed a day in 43 years and was 3 minutes late once due to a flat tire.” He truly had an impeccable work ethic. LJ then poured all his talents, energy, and resources into building fulltime.
In 1971, He married Gloria Warren. The union between these two combined needed formal education and organizational skills with his construction acumen to form L.J. Randle Construction Company in 1972. They went on to finance and build a vast portfolio of properties including beautiful homes, churches, mortuaries, daycares and restaurants in Arkansas and Louisiana. For 50 years until her passing, LJ and Gloria, sojourned together to build affordable homes and to create a better quality of life for neighbors and friends.
His professional memberships included the former Southwest Arkansas Home Builders Association and the National Home Builders Association. He was a proud life-time member of the NAACP.
LJ loved building, eating a good meal and giving solicited and unsolicited financial advice, and listening to B.B King. If you spent more than 10 minutes with him, he would encourage you to always save a “dollar.” Mostly he loved his family. After the passing of his wife, he spent even more time praying and reflecting about experiences that made him who he had become. He would pray for his children from oldest to youngest “day and night.” Often calling out their birthdays. “I even pray for all of my grandkids, and I can’t even say all of their names, but God knows.”
LJ was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Gloria Warren Randle, three brothers: Willie Arthur Randle, Alfred Randle and Glendale Randle.
He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters: Belinda Jewell Randle, Jewell Graves (James), Wadie Jewell Randle, Bennie Jewell Foster (Reginald), Dr. Yvette Randle Oswell (Dr. Maurice), daughter in love LaTasha M. Randle and 3 sons, Donny Lee Randle (Angela), Lee Anthony Randle and Lee Jewell Randle Jr. (Carol). One Sister, Willie B. Randle (Charles Lewis) and three brothers, Albert Randle (Dorothy), Johnny Lee Randle (Gloria) and Donald Ray Randle (Annette). Two brother-in-laws Henry L. Warren and Curtis Warren (Tommie Faye), 16 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who truly loved him dearly.
The Homecoming Celebration will be on December 11th, at 1:00pm at St. Peter’s Rock Missionary Baptist Church at 1201 S. Catalpa Street, Pine Bluff , AR 71603. Visitation will begin 1 hour before the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations towards the existing L.J and Gloria Randle Construction General Scholarship fund are appreciated. Contributions may be made online at https://uapb.tfaforms.net/31or by checks made payable to UAPB Foundation Fund with inclusion of Randle Scholarship on memo line.
Office of Institutional Advancement /Development
1200 North University Drive - Mail slot 4981 Pine Bluff AR ,71601 (870) 575-8701
In His Care,
Randle Family
Obituary submitted by The Family.
