House Resolution 2098
By: Representatives Gambill of the 15th, Meeks of the 178th, Smith of the 18th, and Scoggins
of the 14th
A RESOLUTION
Commending Vernon Lee; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, from 1982 to 1985, Vernon Lee served as the drummer for the Rex Nelon
Singers of Atlanta, Georgia, formerly the LeFevres, who were inducted into the Gospel
Music Association Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, he was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1959, the beloved son of Ira and
Linda Lee; and
WHEREAS, Vernon received his first drum from his grandfather in 1969, and his mother
bought him his first drum set a few years later; and
WHEREAS, he did not receive formal musical training until college, when he studied music
and business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and spent hours practicing his
drumming skills; and
WHEREAS, he played and made his first recording with a group in 1977 and spent three
years with the Rex Nelon Singers, whose accolades include nominations for Grammy
Awards and winning numerous Dove Awards; and
WHEREAS, during his distinguished career, Vernon Lee performed with such groups as the
Templemen Quartet, the Noblemen Quartet, Fay Sims and The Scenicland Boys, The
Impacts, The Telestials, Gold City Quartet, and the Rex Nelon Singers; and
WHEREAS, during his time with the Rex Nelon Singers, Vernon played at many venues,
including the Grand Ole Opry, Opryland, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Country Music
Fan Fare, and the National Quartet Convention, and in 1984, he played at the National
Religious Broadcasters convention in Washington, D.C., where President Ronald Reagan
addressed the crowd—he later performed for United States Senator and former astronaut
John Glenn during his presidential campaign, and Vernon was part of a live recording of a
Rex Nelon reunion album and video; and
WHEREAS, while touring, he also sat in and played for various groups and artists, including
the Cathedrals, the Florida Boys, Jerry Goff, Wendy Bagwell, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps,
and others; and
WHEREAS, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame with the
Nelons in 2016 and is an inductee of the 2026 Tri-State Gospel Music Association Hall of
Fame for his professional drumming career; and
WHEREAS, he was known by other groups and fellow musicians to have the best meter in
gospel music during his tenure and for playing "clean"; and
WHEREAS, after leaving the group, Vernon served as the drummer at Mt. Paran Church of
God in Atlanta, Georgia, for 16 years, and he still plays occasionally and maintains his deep
love for music; and
WHEREAS, he is united in love and marriage to Maggie and is blessed with two remarkable
sons, Ira and Reed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body commend Vernon Lee for his outstanding accomplishments and
wish him continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to
Vernon Lee.