Virgil Moore Lea, of Andersonville, Tennessee, died on Sunday, April, 26, 2015, at the age of 73.

Virgil was born to parents Lester and Verlie Lea on June 25, 1941, in Polk County, Tennessee. In 1964, he married his college sweetheart, Carolyn Crowell. He graduated from Carson-Newman College in 1963, with a degree in Business. Virgil had a 35-year career in management with the J.C. Penney Company beginning in Knoxville, Tennessee. Over the course of his career, he held positions at the regional, district, and store levels and won the Chairman's Award of Excellence five times while he was General Manager of the Boynton Beach, Florida store.

Upon retirement, Virgil moved to East Tennessee and became a beloved member of St. Francis' Episcopal Church. He served his church in many capacities including Junior Warden, choir member, and long-time assistant treasurer.

Virgil is survived by his wife, Carolyn; sons, Brian and Benjamin; daughter-in-law, Anita, as well as members of the Lea, Davis, and Wallace families.

A celebration of the life of Virgil will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at St. Francis' Episcopal Church, Norris. Carolyn and her family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall.

Memorials may be made to St. Francis' Episcopal Church, 158 West Norris Road (P.O. Box 29), Norris, Tennessee 37828. Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. holleygamblefh.com