Adrian Udell Lea, 93, of Osyka, MS, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Friday, July 8, 2022 at Camellia Estates in McComb, MS surrounded by family and friends. He was born October 24, 1928 in Tangipahoa Parish, LA, to Joseph Raborn and Azzielee Bryan Lea.

He was an active member of Line Creek Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and in many other capacities including program leadership, teaching, and helping with facility construction and maintenance as long as his health allowed. He was a storyteller, and he loved sharing about the years he coached men's church softball and basketball teams, family history, and his life experiences and youthful antics.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Osyka for 65+ years. He served on the South Pike School Board for 35 years and was inducted into the South Pike School District Hall of Fame. He served on the Pike County Fair Board, the Osyka Volunteer Fire Department, and the South Pike Chamber of Commerce.

He and his wife, Pauline, raised 5 girls, and then became foster parents to more than 40 children over a period of 20 years, 2 of those, also girls, were added to the family permanently. He loved his Lord, his family, his church, and his community. He was chosen as the Enterprise Journal's Father of the year in 2012 and Osyka's Outstanding Senior Citizen in 2010. He was recognized as a man of faith and one of the most amazing, loving, giving, hardworking, family-oriented men who loved his family and showed what a Christian husband, father, and grandfather should be. He loved watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren play and loved cooking for them-pancakes for breakfast, pies for birthdays and holidays, cookies anytime, and helping cook and host Sunday lunch for the entire family. He valued education; though he never attended a day of college, he paid for 29 years to ensure his girls had an education.

He was a very knowledgeable businessman, cattleman, dairyman, and timberman; he began his adult work life in the family lumber company (J. R. Lea & Sons and continued in business with his dad and brother with Lea's Milling Co., Lea's Farm Supply, and Lea's Dairy; later he and his wife assumed ownership of the milling company, started their own dairy, and finally ended their careers with their own logging company.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 67 years, Pauline Dare Williams Lea, his son-in-law, John W. (Bud) Birdsong Jr., his great-granddaughter, Julianna McMorris, and his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Williams.

He is survived by seven daughters, Beverly Birdsong of Osyka, Lynn McMorris (Lindsey) of Pride, LA, Judy McGhee (Garland) of McComb, Bonnie Iverson of Osyka, Patty Atkinson (Tom) of Magnolia, TX, Misty Hathaway (Randall) of Osyka, and Sheila Huber of Summit, a brother, Armond Ray Lea of Osyka, a sister, Joan Lea McDaniel of Osyka, grandchildren Whitney Pattie (fiancé Don Turner), Brittany Crawford (Clayton), John Birdsong III (Elise), Lori Boeneke (Keith), Lane McMorris (Angie), Leah McMorris, Tara Beene (Michael), Anna Alford, Sean McGhee (Amy), Brandon McGhee (Kylie), Laurie Karch (Micah), Doug "DJ" Iverson, Lacey Prather (John), Dustin Iverson (fiancée Megan), Ryan Atkinson, Nikki Rhodus (Wendell), Taylor Hathaway, Madison Hathaway, Makayla Huber, and Malia Huber, 23 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Pallbearers: John Birdsong, Keith Boeneke, Lane McMorris, Michael Beene, Clayton Crawford, D.J. Iverson, Dustin Iverson, Ryan Atkinson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial Donations to Line Creek Baptist Church Children and Youth Fund. Line Creek Baptist Church, 78659 LA 1053, Kentwood, LA 70444.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, July 12, at Line Creek Baptist Church in Kentwood beginning at 5:00 until 8:00 and will continue Wednesday, July 13, at 1:00 until time of service at 2:00. A graveside service will immediately follow at Roberts Cemetery in Osyka. Bro. Merelin McCon, Bro. Justin Craft, and Bro. Wendell Rhodus will officiate with Sharkey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.