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1933-2026
Noted songwriter, storyteller, and occasional inappropriate joke teller, Lee Cain, 93, of Negley, passed away on Oct. 17, 2026, and, of course, left the gate open. He was born May 8, 1933, in Smithfield (Jericho Hollow), W.Va., to his mother, Pansy Adams Lasure, and father, Lee Cain Sr. Preceding him in death were his beloved stepson Dexter Alford, his brother, Raymond Lasure, his grandparents, Maude and Thomas Adams, and his mother and father.
Lee is survived by his wife of 43 years, Gwendolyn Ann Lewis Cain; two daughters, Robinette Cain of East Liverpool and Dianna Nieman (Tim) of Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania; stepson Paul Alford of Chester, West Virginia; and grandchildren Danielle Timmons (Shane), Liam Nieman (Erin), Ella Nieman, Ambria Alford, Dalton Alford, Drake Alford, Kyle Brown, and Kayla Fidram (Matt). He also leaves behind great-grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Lexi, Norah, Dexton, Zeovanni, Chase, and a great-great-granddaughter, Lainey. He is also survived by his brothers Ron Cain of Georgia and Delbert Lasure (Bertha) of West Virginia.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict in Korea and Japan from 1952 to 1956. After receiving an honorable discharge, Lee served as a recruiting sergeant for the reserves until 1959.
Lee was a 60-plus-year member of the Negley Masonic Lodge and served as Past-Master. He was also a 50-plus-year member of the Knights Templar of the Grand Encampment of the United States of America and the Grand Commandery of Ohio, and a 50-year member of the Al Koran Shrine of Cleveland. He was a lifetime member of Chester VFW.
He worked for the Ohio Bell Telephone Company for 16 years. While employed there, he built Lee Cain Fence Company and operated it for 47 years. After retiring as a fence-man, he devoted his time to loving his farm and vegetable gardens.
Lee also cherished his lifelong Thursday lunch partners: Charles B. Lang, William L. Miller, Jack Hill, and Bob Lewis and his brothers. Last but not least, he leaves behind his beloved hound dog, Kami.
Funeral services will be conducted by The Rev. Liam Nieman, his grandson, and The Rev. Dr. Vais Velis. Masonic services will be observed at noon on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester, with funeral services immediately following. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery in East Liverpool. Friends are invited to visit the family at the funeral home on Friday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made in Lee's name to the East Liverpool Community Center.
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A Tribute to My Uncle Lee
From humble beginnings he came from
But loved by a family more than some
He'd say dirt poor but taught to work
Kicking coal chunks off the train the only perk
Grew up fast served his country in Korea
Hard working Jericho boy always had an idea
Telephone man and many other jobs
Later became his own boss against the odds
He strove to be a family man with a dream
With Aunt Gwen by his side, two little girls made his proud eyes beam
His love for horses and cattle was easy to see
Most of all he gave his love to others
Bet if you ask around this you would discover
Much much more to my Uncle Lee
Such a great example he will always be to me
-written by David Lasure
10/20/26