James Lee Hornbeak was born in Dickson, Tennessee, on November 9, 1946, to the late Gladys Lathon Hornbeak Sowell and Charlie Sowell. James Lee “DROP” Hornbeak departed his life on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Tristar Horizon Medical Center in Dickson, Tennessee.

James’s Lee gave his life to Christ at an early age at St. James Baptist Church Wrigley, Tennessee, which was later named Beth-el Baptist Church. Some called him Lee Lee, Sprout, Drop, other know him to be a loving, quiet person who had a heart of gold. James spent his past time singing, playing the guitar, fishing, hunting, riding motorcycles, which lead him to join the Rare Blood Motorcycle Club. James loved children.

James Lee was a graduate of the Class of 1966 O.H. Bernard High School in Centerville, Tennessee, where he enjoyed playing basketball. After graduation Mr. Hornbeak enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany for many years. While there he was awarded a service award as a “Sniper” Sharp Shooter. James, after returning home from the army, attended Dickson Vocation School and obtained skills in welding. He worked at many factories in the area until his retirement.

James Lee is preceded in death by mother, Gladys Sowell and Charlie Sowell, son, Dale Hornbeak. Fred Hornbeak, Henrietta Sowell, Jimmy Hornbeak, Odessa O’Neal, and Rene Terrell, and Sarah Elliott.

He is survived by wife, Alma Hornbeak Louisville, Kentucky. Daughters: Kim Hornbeak, Louisville, Kentucky, Anjel Darrett, Clarksville, Tennessee, Sons: KY Vincent Hornbeak, Dickson, Tyrone Hornbeak, Louisville, Kentucky and Pat London, Primm Springs Tennessee. 37 lovely grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. A special grandchild, Landon from Louisville, Kentucky, who loved to come to Tennessee and hunt insect, reptiles and snakes with his granddaddy. Brothers, Torez Sowell, Lyles, Tennessee. Bobby Rosiland Sowell, Dickson, Tennessee, Sisters, Tishie Mae Ramey, Dickson, Tennessee, Joyce Stone, Lyles Tennessee, Sister- in-Laws, Roberta Hornbeak, Lynette Russ, and Barbara Sowell. Brother-in-Laws, Richard O’Neal, Riverdalec, Georgia, and John Terrell, Franklin, Tennessee and Johnny Elliott, Nashville, Tennessee. Special cousin, Jerry Mayberry, Fred Stone, and Perry Huddleston. Special friends, Larry Jackson, Ronnie Wright, Vanessa Waters, Thelma Moss, Reggie Simons, Bobby Tubbs, Robert Moss, Tyrone Taylor, Tony Wentz, Shae McCaleb, Ester Jones and Alvin Littlejohn.  

Visitation with the family will be 4 March 2023 from 12:oo – 1:00 PM with Funeral Services to follow at 1:00 PM.  Burial will be 8 March 2023 at 10:00 AM at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, Nashville, TN.