Lee McGaughey Stuart

Lee McGaughey Stuart beat colon cancer on August 8, 2024. Lee was born on July 5, 1978, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the wonderfully cherished son of the late Connie Stuart and brother to his departed furry siblings: Libby, Harpo, Blackie, Sunshine, and Brinkley.

Lee is survived by his wife of 9 years, Kimberly; daughter, Jocelyn; and son, Tylan Williams along with his furry children: Buttons, Oscar, Sadie, and Roxie. He is also survived by his aunt and uncle, Mark and Beverly McGaughey, of Fayetteville and his cousins, Amanda Rowe and Ryan McGaughey, also of Fayetteville as well as his aunt and uncle, Jackie and Irvin, of Houston, Texas.

Lee lived a life filled with very few regrets when it came to his relationships with people. He met his wife Kimberly in September 2012 when he dipped his toe into the pool of online dating and later married on August 30, 2014. Much to her surprise, when she met and fell in love with him, he would come with so many protective and great friends that would welcome her as family as well. A few words that have been said over and over in regards to describing Lee are, "the best person you will ever meet." This is exactly how he lived his life. 

Things were not always easy for this great man, especially growing up, but he could almost always be found smiling and laughing with a built-in determination to live life and make someone smile whether it was through a funny joke or an off the wall Facebook post. He absolutely loved gaming. Many nights, he could be found gaming on his computer with friends from Minnesota or at the local coffee house playing D&D with locals. Lee lived the life he wanted to live.

Lee's greatest accomplishment came in summer 2021 when he was asked about becoming a dad to a sweet and timid three-year-old named Jocelyn. Jocelyn came into his life, and fears he had held about being a dad evaporated. His life was forever changed because of that tiny girl who called him Daddy. She became his princess and Kim’s whole world and that never changed, even during his health battle. Lee and Kim traveled and took her to as many places as they could squeeze in, and also, if you knew Lee, he even gave her small financial literacy classes at the early age of five. She loved her daddy so very much, but even that couldn’t touch how much he loved her.

If asked, many of Lee’s friends and family members would probably describe him all the same way, and that’s that he was truly a great person. He accepted people exactly as they were and would never turn down being a friend to someone who needed one. If Lee could, he would tell you to live the life that he couldn’t and to be kind and always do something fun. Over the last few years, Lee developed a personal relationship with Christ, and as a final act of obedience to Christ, was able to be baptized in his own backyard pool. Lee’s smile will be what his wife remembers most about him, and he thought it was important as a side note to extend a heartfelt apology to the shareholders of Hasbro, Big Bad Toy Store, and Amazon for their dip in online sales. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be avoided. :)

The funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Monday, August 12, 2024, at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Andy Neal officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Preston Marthey, Bones Hart, Richard White, Kris Moore, Heath McGaughey, and Corey Hinklin serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be Sunday, August 11, 2024, at Emerson Memorial Chapel from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM. 

For lasting memorials, please consider the NEA Humane Society, 6111 E. Highland Drive, Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401.